Funny Money

Once again set designer and Stage Manager, Geoff Gill and his team, had created a superb set for this very funny play by Ray Cooney. The script requires a front door, a door to the kitchen, one to the dining room, and stairs to the bedrooms and they were all there. The set was solidly constructed with no ‘wobbles’ when doors were closed. It had been decorated and furnished with all important drinks trolley at the back, beneath a cuckoo clock, and armchair, sofa, sideboard, coffee table and coat hooks completed the room. The set had been well lit and the sound plot was complex and was well cued.

The action takes place in the home of Henry and Jean Perkins on an evening in winter, when Henry Perkins arrives home late in possession of a brief case containing £735,000. The situation becomes increasingly complicated as the play progresses, with convoluted family relationships being devised to hide the truth, and various visitors put into different rooms so that they do not meet. Henry discovers he has picked up the wrong briefcase on the tube, when he opens it for his scarf and gloves. He calls in a pub on his way home and disappears into the gents several times to count the money; each time he emerges he is more excited. A detective who thinks he is up to no good, soliciting men, has observed his actions and decides to follow him. Henry arrives home and tells wife Jean to pack a bag, as they are off to start a new life abroad; she is not happy as they are supposed to be entertaining friends for the evening and is arguing with Henry, when the detective from the pub arrives.

It is a very wordy play with so many of the lines repeated or very similar and identities of characters constantly changing it requires huge concentration from the cast. Sam Stillman gave a lovely performance as Jean Perkins, Henry’s wife, a teetotaller, who wants no part in his plans and takes to the brandy to help her cope. Her gradual, gentle sinking into inebriation was well done and never over the top. Peter Wiggins kept up the pace as Henry Perkins, trying to keep one step ahead of the evolving mayhem, the relationship between him and Jean was believable. John Thompson was great as long suffering Taxi Driver, Bill, who really does not know who he is taking where, but saves the day in the end. Pat Morrissey, did well as the bent policeman DS Davenport, gradually extricating larger amounts of money from Henry. Clive Roberts as DS Slater, the second policeman, brought an air of patient bewilderment to the role. Astrid Della Porter gave a bubbly performance as Betty Johnson who was all for joining the fun and leaving everything behind; with Nigel Lane, her husband Vic, trying to understand what was going on and not wanting any part of it, his timing was excellent. We had a cameo performance at the end from Peter James as the crook who is trying to retrieve the briefcase with the money.

The play kept you on your toes trying to remember who was who and what was happening, but the pace was maintained throughout. Director, Sarah Collyer had chosen a difficult play, which requires good timing and a clear understanding by each member of the cast as to what is happening and where the story is going. She helped them achieve this and ensured they used the excellent set to full advantage.

The audience had obviously enjoyed the evening and everyone had smiles on their faces when they left. Well done Octopus on a most entertaining and successful evening.

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