Charley's Aunt

This classic play and farce was written in 1892 and this production by Phoenix Players retains all the humour style of dialogue and the plot of the original. The direction and cast of this very funny production all worked very well together with great characterisation, deliverance, and pace of dialogue. Another great production from Phoenix Players.

 

The play is set in the rooms of Oxford University undergraduates Jack Chesney and Charley Wykeham who are in love respectively with Kitty Verdun and Amy Spettigue. The boys want to invite their loved ones to lunch, however, a female chaperone is needed. Charley hoped that his aunt, Donna Lucia d’Alvadorez, would oblige but she is unable to come. The next best thing was to get Jack and Charley’s friend, Lord Fancourt Babberly, to dress up as Charley’s aunt. Confusion and misunderstandings are in abundance, especially when the real Donna Lucia arrives and recognises her long-lost love as Jack’s father, Sir Francis Chesney.  Accompanying Donna Lucia is Ela Delahay who is the long-lost love of Lord Fancourt. To add to the mix there is the domineering  Mr Spettigue, Amy’s uncle and Kitty’s guardian trying to prevent the girls from meeting up with the boys,  and the butler, Brassett, doing his best to keep everything on an even keel.

 

Jack Chesney was brilliantly played with boundless energy by Lucas Gunson, with all the correct mannerisms, speed and clarity of the copious amounts of dialogue. Jason Vardy’s characterisation of Charley Wykeham was exactly what was required to be so different to Jack’s. Lucas and Jason’s performances were excellent. Greg Muscroft was just amazing as Lord Fancourt Babberly and Charley’s aunt, and he was hilarious when alternating between the two characters.

 

Yasmin Angove-Middleton as Kitty Verdun and Kim Baker as Amy Spettigue were wonderful and gave very good interpretations of their characters on changing from demure ladies to taking charge of their loved ones. Neil Mather was superb as the very debonair Sir Francis Chesney with some very funny scenes with “Charley’s aunt”. The larger than-life Mr Spettigue dominated his niece and ward. A great performance from Mark Hague who ticked all the boxes. Likewise, Clare Haynes giving a great performance as the graceful and elegant Donna Lucia D’Alvadorez. Jack Howie was also very good as Ela Delahay with all the sensitivities required of this character. Finally in this mix of confusion was the butler, the steady and at times sarcastic, Brassett. Michael Flint’s interpretation was spot-on.

 

 

 

A successful production requires well thought-out direction and an excellent cast; all complemented with good costumes, with a setting and music to match the era. Congratulations to Julie Webb and Phoenix Players – you achieved it all.

 

Thank you for the invite and hospitality and a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

 

Looking forward to your next production.

 

 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.