Dick Barton Special Agent

For people of a certain age (rather older than me, I hasten to add) this was a nostalgic trip back in time to those halcyon days of radio drama serials in the 1940s, when they gathered round the radio and followed Dick Barton's improbable adventures, using their imagination to create the scenes.  Some of the scripts from the original Dick Barton Special Agent episodes have been re-written as a full-length stage plays by Phil Willmott, thereby giving greater opportunities for the actors to play the characters whilst "recording" the radio show, adding an interesting visual depth to the production.

In this story, Britain's entire tea supply is threatened and Dick Barton soon finds himself wrapped up in an adventure rich with intrigue and mystery, as he confronts arch enemies Marta Heartburn and Baron Scarheart - all the while finding time to sing a few songs as he saves the day!

Director Teresa Encke thoughtfully divided the stage and extension into four acting areas so that very little scene changing was required. I was most impressed by the box set and the props used, particularly the mincing machine, illuminated ‘On Air’ sign, period microphones and the view from the window, which was changed after the explosion – all were really well made. Costumes too were very good and although not all were of the period, they gave the right feel. Daphne, Marta and the Cabaret girls were all particularly well attired.

The atmosphere of the radio studio was well created, with the continuity announcer (Richard Meeson) in evening dress, sitting on stage thoughout. His dramatic, received-pronunciation announcements were spot-on as were the characterisations of the anxious producer (Jackie Foster) and lackadaisical scene shifter (David Warren).

In the title role, Martin Kille was Dick Barton to a tee, all stiff upper lip and patriotism as he manfully tried to resist the temptations of the lusty femme fatale, Marta Heartburn – a top class performance by Jo Walker. Paul Foster played the baddie, Baron Scarheart, with a wicked laugh and an efil glint in his eye. Tony Smith as Snowy, Dick’s lookalike sidekick, was a real salt-of-the-earth cockney. Robert Haines, resplendent in a kilt, was Dick’s faithful assistant Jock, with a good Scots accent, although he should be careful how he kneels down – it nearly caused an incident in the front row!

Rowenna Gordon gave a nicely observed performance as the upper-class but bright, jolly hockey sticks Daphne Fritters, while James Batchelor was a typical upper-class twit Colonel as well as a lascivious leather-clad slave! Paul Quinn and Toby Finch proved to be a great double act as the rather camp Rodger and Wilco.

The play isn’t a musical but, rather strangely, the action was interspersed with singing – very clever lyrics set to well-known tunes. This was mostly unaccompanied and while it was not everyone’s forté, I must particularly commend the powerful singing of the men on the chain gang to the music of Nessun Dorma.

You didn’t need to have heard the original broadcasts to thoroughly enjoy this show. The daft script, which ventured into ‘Allo, ‘Allo territory at times, was well put over by the cast and I, along with the capacity audience, had a great evening’s entertainment.

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