Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

On visual first impressions this was a well designed and constructed set, versatile and bright with revolving flats to produce extra scenes. The changes were slick and effective and lighting well plotted and controlled to focus on specific areas within the open stage.

An impressive twelve-piece band produced great sound and rhythm and were never too loud, being sympathetic to the players throughout.

The huge role of Con-Artist Lawrence, requires great acting skills, comic timing, singing ability and a penchant for changing accents.  The extremely versatile Peter Lerpinier was very deservedly cast in the role. Displaying the essence of his character, while schmoozing with the ladies at the casino, he confidently delivered ‘Give Them What They Want’. Other comic numbers ‘All About Ruprecht' (with Freddy comically playing his DNA damaged brother) and his well timed cane torture of Freddy’s feet while singing ‘Ruffhousin’ Mit Shuffhausen’, gained huge audience appreciation.

The adversary to Lawrence was excellently portrayed by Christopher Drewery in the role of Freddy. If there ever was a pairing who worked well together, this pair were ‘the business’. A youth learning from experience was pertinent, as the story goes with the two male characters and I’m sure that was the case with the on stage player/director.  I might add that this young man has, in real life, an amazingly talented actress for a Mum… which maybe is genuinely part of his real life DNA. In a very expressive and manic rendition of ‘Great Big Stuff’ he rhythmically convinced us he was, with out doubt, wanting love for his money.  Credit is also due for his harmonic duet with Christine in ‘Nothing is too Wonderful to be True’.

The fabulous minx, aka ‘The Jackal’ Christine was confidently and naturally played by talented Rachel Gray. In a fabulous display of girl power, she gave a great rendition of ‘Here I Am’. In ‘The Reckoning’ she  also deserved  huge credit as she worked her ultimate con on Lawrence and Freddy. Well Done Miss Colgate.

Christine’s real life Mum, Lynn Gray, played the superb ‘Dolly-like’, country-style, cameo role  of Jolene, shining in her comic ditty, ‘Oklahoma’, and wearing her all white costume with style.  

New member Capri Ross-Williams embodied the role of siren Muriel, frustrated by the constantly elusive Lawrence, she sang a pensive rendition of ‘What Was a Woman to Do?’. 

Her characterisation  really came to life when Andre, excellently portrayed by Kevin Purvis, pursued and seduced her in a comical ‘Like Zis/Like Zat’, also wowing us with a convincing soft shoe shuffle. As the duo’s relationship blossomed, their hilarious expressive antics had the audience in stitches. A comfortable and comic couple.

With grace, vulgarity, style and charm, the cheeky male duo, Lawrence and Freddy, in mutual appreciation of each other, produced a filthy, shameless, lying, cheating, ’Dirty Rotten’ fabulous duet. Well done you couple of scoundrels!

Congratulations to all involved.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

 

 

 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.