Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

I received a warm welcome at Blackfriars Arts Centre last week from Stuart Bull and other society members. Their production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a 2004 comedy musical, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Jeffrey Lane; it is based on the 1988 film of the same name. This modern musical, set in the exotic French Riviera, see Lawrence Jameson making his living by smooth-talking rich, single women out of their money. He has been in the trade for many years and has got his technique down to a tee. But then he bumps into Freddy Benson who takes a humbler, more laid-back approach, swindling women with emotional lies about his grandmother's failing health and his own economic struggles. The two men initially decide to form a double act, but their egos soon clash and the French coast isn't big enough for the two of them. To settle their rivalry, they agree on a bet: the first to swindle $50,000 from the latest young heiress in town, Christine Colgate, can stay and the other must leave town. However, is Christine really all she seems? Hilarity and confusion ensue as the two men pull out all the steps to prove they are the best con man in town.

I thought the choreography was very good, in the correct style for the era and Lucy Allen did a wonderful job. The musical director Steve Chandley similarly brought out the Broadway style and the cast were fabulous during all the musical elements. (He even gets caught up in the action at certain points in the show.

Josh Harwood, gave a charming professional performance as Freddy, (his first principal role with BOS) every comic nuance came across and his characterisation, diction, and body language were all really good. Matt brown played Andre in warm sympathetic ways and his delightful performance was appreciated by the audience. I did however feel Julian Warrick’s acting was a little undercooked. Lacking some of the flair and energy I might have expected. Another noticeable performance was from Clare Allen as Christine. She had a great look for the part and her singing and dancing were off the scale, with really daring lifts, and super acting with great energy throughout the whole performance.  Jenny Cartwright played Jolene very well. I felt she really enjoyed her time on stage and that spilled out into her performance.  Caitlin Cooper sang in the chorus but also gave a lovely rendition of her verse in 'What Was A Woman To Do', ss the Usherette, played from the auditorium. I really enjoyed Muriel’s character, played by Andrea Townsend, very funny, great timing and she sang really well. The chorus were all very good, seeming to enjoy the crowd scenes and I really loved their costumes. (Violet Truelove – wardrobe.) Everyone seemed very confident. 

Outstanding scenes included the salsa dancing, the Ruprecht scene, which was hilarious and very smoothly delivered, the ‘What Was a Women To Do’, with the ladies in the sheets, brilliant, and the finale with the full cast on stage.

The staging was great, the lighting was effective and as usual, Kip Barrs and Christin Slingsby (stage management) kept everything moving at a good pace.  I loved the way the maids changed the rooms and dusted around, well-practiced, swiftly moving, and bang on time. The stage props were mostly manipulated by the cast and I loved that element of the show and the characterisation during the moments. Well done.

The programme and poster design were excellent and I will be entering these into the NODA competition, lovely images, right-ups, messages, and pictures, also I can see you are well supported by your community and local business. A touching memorial to Pat Whittle was also included.

Overall I really enjoyed this production of Dirty Rotton Scoundrels, a polished show with many highlights. Thank you.

 

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