Funny Money

Funny Money by Ray Cooney opened at The Churchill Theatre Bromley in 1994 and then went on to the West End for a two-year run. Ray Cooney directed and also played Henry Perkins. 2006 it was made into a film starring Chevy Chase and Penelope Ann Miller. The film did very well at the box office.

The set is the living room of Henry and Jean Perkins. With muted colours, set is by Carl Bottomley, Gareth Mabon and Tim Shorten. With settee centre stage and armchairs either side. Coffee table in front of the settee and various tables around the set. Entrances Stage Left and Right and off-centre back was a small staircase leading to the bedroom and outside framed with curtains. Up Stage Left was a cubed wall unit and a drinks table just behind the settee. The room was decorated with various vases of different sizes, hat-stand and the usual objet d’art to make it look homely. The space either side of the stage was utilized with vases and tables. Props Kiersten Keogh. Lighting and Sound was as it should be to enhance the set. Lighting and Sound by Michael Hall. Costumes all looked in keeping.

Paul Cohen directs this Ray Cooney farce - the stage is used well and the laughs are plentiful. Love the faceless picture of Luap Nehoc (anagram of Paul Cohen) - a guest appearance in the programme playing Mr Brerfcurse complete with eye patch. The Mr Brerfcurse being a running gag through-out the play.

Oliver Gaskell takes on the role of the good-natured taxi driver who ends up saving the day. His patience is certainly tested. David Wilson is the bent copper Detective Sergeant Davenport with an eye for the main chance he extorts more and more money from Henry. Lindsay Sheppard takes on the role of Sergeant Slater and no she is not bent. It’s great to see Lindsay taking on a straighter role although there were funny moments with her confusion about what was going on.

Howard Cohen is Vic Johnson, friend of the Perkins. His “Hang on Hang on” moments were very funny. I did struggle at first to hear you but as you grew in confidence you projected more. I liked your response to the confusion with your blank expressions and how you rolled with the flow. Catherine Henderson played Vic’s wife Betty Johnson with great energy and colourful outfit, she looked just the part - a great foil for Vic. Game for anything, even wife swapping, Betty cannot understand the reluctance to go to Barcelona.

Carl Bottomley is Henry Perkins accidentally picking up the wrong Brerfcurse, erm I mean  briefcase and finding £735.000 in it. The fact that he has counted it is hilarious - he wastes no time in making plans to go to Barcelona - that’s his first mistake, well actually his second - the first is going into the pub to count it. The mistaken identify and made-up stories and what ensues is mind boggling. Keeping up with it as an audience is enough, never mind learning it. Henrys wife is Jean Pekins played by Vicki Wilson who just wants to get her chicken out of the oven and give Henry his birthday meal. Vicki was hilarious and it’s really hard to play drunk but Vicki played this very convincingly when she came in ready for bed with her hair stuck out was a funny moment. The cast worked well together and looked to be having a great time, even the little blips were quickly covered up and the flow was not affected. Thankyou St Pauls from my guest Craig and I for the invite and warm welcome.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5 Rep

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