Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

I knew nothing about this show - never having seen the stage version or the 1988 film version – so had no idea of what to expect. So I was pleasantly surprised by Brechin AOS’s excellent production of this extremely amusing show full of wonderful dialogue and witty lyrics. Graeme Baird and Alan Matheson as the two conmen Lawrence Jameson and Freddy Benson respectively, made a great comic pairing as they tried to get the better of each other. Both had strong singing voices and perfect comic timing – shown to their best in the “All About Ruprecht” number. Gill Smith Matheson as Christine Colgate, the main target of Lawrence and Freddy’s sting, was excellent and her performance as the naïve “heiress” was so convincing I had no clue she was indeed the third con artist until the big reveal in the last scene! Jim Ramsay as police chief on the take  Andre Thibault and Caroline Fenwick as wealthy, ditsy and romantic American Muriel Eubanks added greatly to the humour as their burgeoning romance blossomed especially in the “Like Zis, Like Zat” number. Laura Ferguson again added to the humour with her portrayal of the Dolly Parton-esque Jolene Oakes.  The chorus singing and movement was of the high standard we have come to expect from this company. The use of beautifully drawn stylised projections of the French Riviera and simple furnishings made good use of the small stage and ensured there were no long pauses between the scenes. Costuming was appropriate to the characters and period. Well done to all at Brechin AOS for a most entertaining evening!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.