Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

This was just the right show to brighten up the dull, cold days of a long January. Set in the marvellous light of the French Riviera, it zoomed along full of sparky musical numbers, wonderful costumes, and great wit. The musical was based on the 1988 film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin and premiered in 2004.  A suave, sophisticated English conman, who has spent years on the riviera posing as a deposed prince, meets his comeuppance in a young goodlooking American upstart, who aims to enter the same ‘profession’.

Director Sue Sampson tells us that it needs actors with good comic skills, physical theatre and slapstick skills. That they also needed good skills in the area of producing marvellous foreign accents, we discovered to our delight as we watched.

Farnham Maltings is a marvellous culture centre. It is huge with a rabbit warren of rooms, halls, and staircases. The theatre itself is spacious and well-equipped, with good, tiered seating.

We were offered a well-designed programme, with excellent, informative notes from the two directors and a good and full synopsis, and fun rehearsal photos. Interesting director and cast profiles, and a list of musical numbers were enlightening as always. The list of past productions is always fun to see.

Lighting was very effective throughout, transporting us to sunny climes.  Sound quality was very good.

This production was a feast for the eyes, as one would expect in the opulent surroundings of the lavish hotels and casinos of the Cote d’Azur. Ladies were first dressed in gorgeous dresses, all of a different design, but the same cornflower blue. Fabulous. Later they appeared in slinky black, and finally in brilliant red. Always with long gloves, it made me quite nostalgic.  One dress in the red section was black and red, a nice touch to have that bit of contrast. The gentlemen of course were in dinner jackets and bow ties. Freddy Benson was transformed by Lawrence from an oik in a baseball cap and old jeans and sneakers into a smart young fellow in a suit and trilby. Later in his conman role, we find him in a military uniform. At one stage Christine Colgate wore a stunning off the shoulder black dress with gold ruffle sleeves. Of course, we must also mention the amazing Jolene from Oklahoma, in her cute western outfit, full white skirt with voluminous petticoats and red trim, and a shiny red Stetson hat. The whole cast looked splendid in the hoedown scene, similarly decked out cowboy fashion.

The set was beautifully enticing, with a white balustrade (behind which the orchestra was placed on a raised platform), flower bedecked arches and columns, a fountain, and a white metal garden bench. Up a level, to the right, was a bedroom. To the left was Lawrence’s office with bookshelf and desk. A hospital bed and a wheelchair were important props, as well as a flower arrangement and an array of fruit. And the ‘prince’s’ huge ring must not be forgotten. 

Julie Dance and her nine-piece orchestra provided us with an evening of great musical drama. This lively score was expertly interpreted, and the balance of sound between instruments and voices was good throughout.

This production had spark and vim from start to finish. We knew we were in for an evening of superb fun the moment we met the suave English conman Lawrence Jameson, who was posing as a deposed prince, and his side-kick Andre, who turned out to be Beauville-Sur-Mer’s chief of police. The elegant ladies of the ensemble, clad in such vibrant blue, were breathless at the thought of meeting the ‘prince’, (with his amazingly huge ring), as they sang ‘What Was a Woman to Do’. The two men discuss the potential arrival on the scene of a famous rival called ‘the Jackal’.

On the train shortly afterwards, Lawrence meets American Freddy Benson, who he observes swindling a woman, and thus assumes Freddy to be the famous Jackal.Freddy, much impressed by Lawrence’s sophistication and success as a swindler, aims to get in on the action in the wonderful number ‘Great Big Stuff’. Lewis Hoskins was wonderful as the young, gauche, but super enthusiastic and energetic Freddy, and brought out all the humour in his part so well.

Meanwhile, back in Beauville, Lawrence is accosted by the ever jolly Jolene, from Oklahoma, who informs him (at gunpoint) that she’s told Daddy of their impending marriage and intends to take him back with her to Oklahoma to live. A marvellously energetic performance by Victoria Howard-Andrews as Jolene. Moreover, she was very frightening, especially when joined by the whole ensemble kitted out in Western gear for the fabulous hoedown number ‘Oklahoma?’ Desperate times call for desperate measures, and poor Lawrence then decides to enlist the help of his rival Freddy. Freddy acts the part of Lawrence’s deranged brother Ruprecht with great, hmm, should I say skill, and soon sees off Jolene, who has no wish to have to introduce him to Daddy! Marvellously funny, brilliantly acted by all, with the hilarious number ‘All About Ruprecht’ rocking the house with laughter. Of course, Jolene fled.

 After a period of collaboration where Freddy learns more elegant tricks of the trade from the older man, Lawrence begins to feel that his style is being cramped, and the pair fall out. They make a deal: the first to con a woman out of $50000 gets to stay in town, the other must leave.Immediately after this agreement, the beautiful and charming Christine Colegate arrives. Both men decide to make a play for her. Freddy decides to don army uniform and use a wheelchair to appeal to her sympathy. He needs $50000 for a cure. Alexandra Boughton lights up the stage in her gorgeous red gown, as she sings the numbers ‘Here I am’ and ‘Nothing is Too Wonderful to be True’. It is no wonder the two men are captivated. Her voice, her stage presence were perfect for the role. The only chance for a cure, says Freddy, is one Dr Schuffhausen. Christine offers to fund the cure, as Freddy had hoped. But how amazing that by chance Dr Schuffhausen should be staying at the hotel!

Of course, Dr Schuffhausen turns out to be Lawrence in a Loden jacket and Tyrolean feathered hat, with the most wonderful Austrian accent! This was by far the funniest section of the whole evening. We even had some yodelling! Martin Sampson excelled as the suave Lawrence throughout, but as Dr Schuffhausen he was in his element, and gave one of the funniest performances I’ve seen in a long long while. All three protagonists Dr S, Freddy and Christine thrilled us in this scene, where Dr S thwacks Freddy on his bad leg with a cane, Freddy powerless to protest, Christine absolutely horrified. Brilliant performances all.

But there were other super performances too. Leo Gordon was fabulous as Andre Thibault, Lawrence’s ‘bodyguard’. He impressed with his French accent, which he stuck to throughout, and even managed to sing in. Lucy Brailey put in a great performance as Muriel, a lady who knew her best years were behind her, but still yearned for love. Which, as it turned out, she found with Andre, which made an amusing and endearing side show.

Choreography was marvellous, the ensemble numbers were a delight, with their marvellous energy and colourful costumes.Of course, Sue Sampson must be praised for her inspired direction of this piece. It all flowed so smoothly, and looked so easy, one can only imagine the hard work that went into it. But what a great team!

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