Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Many people will have seen the film of this show starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine and though the plot is a little contrived, there are opportunities for great fun and interplay of leading characters. By no means could the music rank among the top strata in musicals - one does not leave the theatre humming many tunes - but in this production the songs were mostly well put over and musical director Jamie Cordell achieved a well above average standard from the company at large, while the principals all possessed strong voices.

Damien de Roche playing Lawrence Jameson, the suave resident conman in Beaumont sur Mer, first appeared in a casino foyer, complete with reception desk, prominent palm tree and roulette table. Showing great self possession, Damien as Lawrence mingled among the wealthy women of the French Riviera intent upon fleecing money or jewels from them.  Damien who stood in at fairly short notice was superb throughout.  The many sides to his character, from suave conman, to foreign accented and sadistic "Doctor", to bereft and vulnerable, lovelorn man were deftly and beautifully nuanced.  He is a gifted actor by any standard!  Women were easily attracted to him as Lawrence, in particular Muriel Eubanks played with truth and presence by Jane Maisey, another charismatic and confident performer and, like Damien and Michael, she could really sing!  

Lawrence, however, had a bodyguard in Mark Nicholson playing Andre Thibault, a retainer who played a key part in the story and played it extremely well in fact.   Andre relayed to Lawrence how another conman, Freddy Benson "The Jackal", played,- or rather  inhabited, so believable was he - by Michael Saunders, had moved into the area and was busy plying his trade on unsuspecting victims.    Lawrence, determined to confront Freddy, subtly observed him at work.  Impressed by Freddy's skills, Lawrence determined to tutor him, bringing him back to Lawrence's sumptuous and richly furnished home.  The relationship and rivalry between the two conmen was a real cornerstone of both the story and the sumptuous overall performance.                                                                

Freddy, deeply impressed, relayed all the worldly things he would buy when truly rich in the impressive "Great Big Stuff".  Good use was made of the silver trays here and the comical mention of "Trump", certainly topical, if rather depressing!  Andre, with Lawrence's welfare in mind was keen to warn Lawrence about Freddy's "talents", which he did in the song "Chimp in a Suit".

The awful brother Ruprecht charade was certainly an hilarious show high-spot, not easily forgotten.  Jolene Oaks, played with much Southern presence by Julia Rogers with a real drawl and impressive red wig, joined Lawrence and Freddy in this wonderful scene. Pressed into her bosom, Michael, as Ruprecht, wearing a prominent eyepatch, milked this scene for all he was worth.  But, as they say, it takes two to tango and Julia can "tango" with the very best.

I did notice both Damien's and Michael's light suit trousers seemed too long, both appeared to be treading on them at times. They were certainly too baggy for well dressed conmen.

"Alleluia" with six singing nuns convincingly clad, sizzled with righteous passion;  another show plus.   "What was a Woman to do", together with the reprise was skilfully and splendidly put over by Jane as Muriel, ably assisted by female chorus.

And so to the entrance of Philippa Kennedy as the glamorous heiress and "victim" to be, Christine Colgate.   If they only knew .............. !    Introducing herself with "Here I am", backed by the vibrant ensemble, Christine really hit the start line running and running hard. Philippa gave an accomplished performance with energy aplenty and a lovely singing voice. The show finale, when the three of them determined to con the audience, was a really professional standard!

Hoist by his own petard , Freddy now "disabled" in a wheelchair, gleefully learned that the $50K he needed would be forthcoming.  The miracle Doctor, Dr Shuffhausen, played with sadistic glee by Damien with medical reflex testers (a mallet and feather) at the ready, was about to make Freddy regret his deception. This scene was really special and played by them all to the utmost. .A prominent middle finger was raised by Freddy in the spurious Doctor's direction, unseen by Christine, but definitely seen and appreciated by the audience.

I should say that this was not a show to bring along one's sheltered maiden aunt.    Even George W Bush was mentioned, amusingly ridiculed, and there were female bottoms aplenty, scantily clad on view.

There were some likeable cameo roles. Two roughhouse sailors kidnapped, firstly Lawrence and then, when the tables were turned, Freddy.  Ziggi Szafranski was a charismatic French accordionist with red beret, striped shirt and string of onions - sacre bleu!   There were saucy French hotel maids with red feather dusters, male waiters all in white, several bell boys in purple and the whole chorus crackled greatly with energy and extremely sharp choreography, learned under the clearly strict and painstaking choreographer Vanessa Chambers.

An amusing duet was "Like Zis, Like Zat" between Andre and Muriel in the hotel lobby, now very much together. Andre, with two cigarettes in his mouth, lit together. In night attire they appeared on the balcony of their bedroom reprising, "Like Zis, Like Zat".

As the plot unravelled, Christine was revealed to have outwitted the two men. The pace never dropped and there were several other memorable songs in Act two. I especially loved "Love Sneaks In", a touching and beautifully put over song from Lawrence.

A vibrant twelve piece band  under the firm control of Musical Director Jamie Cordell, filled the air with their multi-layered melodies and attention to dynamics, always fully supporting the company and the many gifted singers in the principal line-up in particular.

Costumes by Lois Hatt were magnificent and well fitted, my little quibble about trouser length quite apart. Hair styling and make-up were convincingly handled  by Paddi Mallett, Lorraine Lawrence and Fiona Steel.       

The well designed and constructed basic hotel set, was shown from the  interior looking out, together with skilful and rapidly handled changes. The director Kevin Stuart, ably assisted by Adrian Martin on build, designed this highly impressive and solid looking set, which played a major part in this show's undoubted success.

With good use of lighting by Will Perkins for Show LX and follow spots by Rachael Albrighton and James Butchart, and excellent sound under Ollie Cross, the technical side was in excellent hands.        

A merit mark too for the informative and well set out programme, featuring quality rehearsal pics and an interesting read about the French Riviera.       

Director Kevin Stuart handled his company in highly impressive manner.   Swift and complete use of the ample stage, well supported by an animated company with everyone on stage fully switched on from first to last gave the company a show to be proud of and a fortunate audience an evening to remember!

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