Beyond A Joke

Derek Benfield’s farcical play ‘Beyond a Joke’ concerns itself with the very unlucky house belonging to Andrew and Jane, where people seem to have a habit of meeting with fatal accidents. When their daughter Sally brings home boyfriend Geoff for the weekend, he is rather shocked to discover that his girlfriend’s parents seem to have a reputation for making sure their visitors never leave. With comical misunderstandings aplenty, bodies being scooted about the place in wheelbarrows and a couple of corpses playing hideandseek, things quickly spiral out of control in the most amusing fashion. 

The stage was open on to a very well crafted set. It was dividing the stage half and half between the sitting room and the garden, the audience was afforded a panoramic view of proceedings from inside and out. Discovered clambering up a ladder at the outset of the play, Jane hit the ground running with her portrayal of the lady of the house. Husband Andrew was played in a verysolid performance, keeping the show peddling along at a good pace all evening. When Geoff arrives for the weekend, the series of misunderstandings begin, as he invariably gets the wrong end of the stick. Geoff was played brilliantly throughout. With girlfriend Sally and the dotty Aunt Sarah, the household was well placed to encounter farcical goings-on as the bodies start to pileup. Sallyand Sarah played their roles well. 

Then the new vicar turns up with Geoff shouting “What the hell are you doing here?” Almost before the vicar could finish his coffee, he is discovered slumped over the garden furniture, joining the deceased TV repairman (playinga corpse in a cupboard) The race is on to make sure suspicious Geoff is kept inthe dark and, more importantly, that Geoff’s parents - having driven all the way from Stoke Poges no less - don’t stumble across the bodies as they promenade around the garden. Audrey and Edgar were baffled as the madcap antics whirl about around them. Having seen the vicar in the wheelbarrow, Edgar announces”I’ve never had a ride in a wheelbarrow”. At this house, your eally wouldn’t want to be hanging around. 

Here was a funny and enjoyable production where the whole company really worked together to create a great evening of live entertainment. Excellent acting by all the characters. Well done to first time director Nancy. 

Well done to all the cast and crew for a fabulous performance. Thank you so much for inviting me and I look forward to your next production.

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