A Knight To Remember

A Knight to Remember, a delightful, full farce directed by Pat Robinson, offered an evening of laughter and some charming performances. The play revolves around Sir Ronald Barton, (Phil Ratcliffe), an ageing movie actor celebrating his bygone fame with a trip to an upmarket hotel for an awards ceremony, and his ever-resourceful personal assistant, Miss Emma Pelham  (Emma Rostaing).

Phil Ratcliffe, as the lead, brings a masterful touch to the role of Sir Ronald. His portrayal of the once-great actor is both touching and hilarious, deftly balancing the character’s larger-than-life ego with moments of vulnerability with his failing memory. Ratcliffe’s impeccable timing and expressive range made Sir Ronald’s absurd predicaments all the more entertaining.

Emma Rostaing shone as Emma, the PA who navigates the chaos with wit and aplomb. Rostaing’s performance was a standout, infusing the character with a delightful mix of intelligence, sarcasm and exasperation. Her chemistry with Ratcliffe was palpable, creating a dynamic that drove much of the play’s humour and heart. Rostaing’s comedic instincts are sharp, and she effortlessly anchored the role with fabulous, crisp delivery and a sardonic knowing wit.

The secondary characters added layers of humour and intrigue to the narrative. Rob Perrin playing the hard but dim and slightly unstable security guard, Reg Thompson delivered a wonderfully nuanced performance that drew hearty laughs. Mark Gera, as the overzealous evangelical minister, Pastor Billy Adams, brought a manic energy to the stage, creating memorable moments of slapstick comedy. The supporting cast, including Tony Prescott as the haughty and strange hotel manager and Lesley-Ann Bleasedale as the scheming rival, contributed unique comedic flavours, enhancing the farcical atmosphere.

The set design, by Laurence Harrison, complemented the play’s tone, with appropriate props and vibrant colours that endeavoured to evoke a sense of nostalgic glamour. Not easy in such a limited space. The costumes were equally suitable, particularly Sir Ronald’s smoking jacket that reflected his inflated sense of self-importance and faded elegance that contrasted beautifully with certain elements of his storyline. Well done wardrobe team.

Pat Robinson’s direction, assisted by Rob Perrin’s, mostly kept the pace brisk and the action fluid, aiming to ensure that the audience was constantly engaged. The physical comedy was executed well, and in certain scenes the witty dialogue crackled with energy. There were a few held moments where the movements seemed confused or confusing, but the pace got back on track and, it is true that some characters could have been lifted off the page more effectively but on the whole A Knight to Remember was a fun night of farcical theatre. Driven by standout performances from Phil Ratcliffe and Emma Rostaing. The play penned by Johnny Jarman, was a joyous romp, filled with some clever humour, exaggerated antics, and a touch of nostalgia.

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