Caught in the Net

WADS choice of summer farce this year was an ambitious one.  A seven door box set was revealed to the audience, representing to two “family” homes of bigamist John Smith, throw in the fact that both “houses” are used simultaneously by both families, together with three different telephones and one doorbell requiring precision timing in the script and a multitude of props to facilitate the disguise of the aforementioned bigamist, there was little room for complacency from the cast in the presentation of this highly amusing script.  And the seven strong cast didn’t disappoint. Ian Dobson as John Smith juggled his two family adeptly with humorous effect ably supported by his friend and lodger Stanley Gardner played by Chris Wales. Anne Dobson as wife Mary spent much of her time locked in various rooms, yet still managed to have the final laugh at John & Stanley’s expense.   Polly Stephenson as wife Barbara coped brilliantly with the duality of the set, despite some obvious deviations from the script not of her doing.  John Eaves as Stanley’s dad maintained his characterisation throughout.  But the stars for me were Jordan Butler and Megan O’Neil as Vicki & Gavin, the teenage children of John Smith who have met on the internet and have made arrangements to meet up given the commonalities they seem to share.  Both gave accomplished and polished performances, throughout the mayhem which was being created all around them. Mention should also go to the set designer and those who built, and rebuilt it regularly, throughout the season’s run.  Well done to all involved, you once again provided a fun night’s entertainment for the Summer Season.  

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.