Cry Havoc - A 1920’s Comedy

A new play, written and directed by local playwright, Elliot White and performed by WITS was a very exciting and funny piece of theatre. With 1920’s jazz music being played as the audience entered, the curtains opened to reveal a projected London street-scene with actors in authentic period dress, looking fabulous. A Newsie announces, in a clear, loud voice that a famous French diamond, lent to the British Museum by Lady Wickham, will be displayed for public view. 

As the story continues, we visit a local London pub and meet Carl Dawson, a cockney wide boy, looking dapper in a smart yellow waistcoat, trousers, yellow tie, white shirt and trench coat, and performed brilliantly throughout the play by an actor with great stage presence and ability. In disguise wearing an obviously fake moustache, nose and glasses, Mark Woods, also with a dodgy northern accent, pretending not to be the secretary of his employer Lady Wickham, coaxes Carl to steal his employer’s famous diamond from the museum. Carl then persuades his boxer friend, Arthur, the muscles of the team, to help him with his plan although Arthur is reticent saying “do you remember what happened last time?” Carl “I had no idea the sidecar wasn’t attached!”.  

The actor portraying Arthur had a significantly hilarious role, at first a beefy boxer but then dressing as Lady Wickham later in the play in a long red dress with unruly grapefruits as bosoms (one hilariously falling out of his dress) had the audience and myself screaming and crying with laughter. The actor, already a tall person, then having to wear 4-inch stiletto heels and run around the auditorium, chased by police, was treacherous at times but he pulled it off with aplomb!

The museum’s curator Mr Baxter, a pompous yet bumbling character with cackling laugh is wonderfully depicted alongside his incredibly useless security officers Frank, Harry, Jerry and Abraham (Old Abe) who couldn’t catch a cold let alone a criminal pinching a diamond.  Lovely performances from all especially Jerry, when he is knocked out (great stage fall) and is then dragged behind the hedge by Arthur… comedy genius. 

We are introduced to The Countess Lady Wickham, who is beautifully dressed and coiffured throughout the play in furs, hats and bias-cut satin dresses. This actor with an elegant speaking voice and plumb in the mouth accent, was perfectly cast. Her scenes with Wood, her secretary with benefits, are well acted with dialogue such as Lady Wickham to Woods “You’ll need to be circumspect” and Woods replying “I was when I was a child!”  

The criminal team are joined by Tim, a dim- witted young man who shows he has a brain, eventually. This actor, cleverly brought the character to life and the interaction between the three thieves was superbly created as they discuss the job with Woods in the old warehouse. 

There were some delightful cameo roles from the cast. We meet Mrs Perkins, a friend of Lady Wickham as they dine at The Ritz, a ditzy woman who mistakes page one of the menu as “Pageone”, a pasta dish! Mr Harold Davis and Mrs Dorothy Davis, a well-dressed and well-heeled couple who have obvious issues as Dorothy quips to her husband “oh, I’m only pleasant to look at!”  Supported by the actor playing the waiter/butler/Ralph changing characters throughout. Old Abe’s singing WW1 songs before he is knocked out by Arthur.  Officer Goodman, half way through chasing the villain’s, swaps with the prompt for a rest as the prompt continues the hunt.  Very clever comical moments expertly directed by Jack Powell. 

With subtle added touches of the music between scene changes and the expert use of projection, the play flowed smoothly even with a number of scene changes. The stage props added classic touches such as the chaise longue and the famous hedge and the lighting was perfect in each scene. 

The costumes were expertly chosen from the 1920’s suits and dress suits and the beautiful dresses, coats, hats with additional gloves and handbags. Great job wardrobe, those important special touches meant nothing was forgotten.  

This was a cleverly written story with a cunning twist at the end. Each character was created and written well and each one given their moment to shine. Very funny with superb double-entendres and jokes, I would highly recommend other companies consider performing Cry Havoc. 

I congratulate the cast, crew, production team and “Elliot White” for a very enjoyable evening of superb entertainment.

Lyn Burgoyne

South West Noda representative (Mid and East Devon)

 

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