Grilled

A huge congratulations to Magna Performing Arts on celebrating their 45th Anniversary as a society! This milestone is a testament to the vibrant energy and dedication that Magna brings to every production, and their latest show, Grilled, written and directed by local playwright B.A. Morris, perfectly exemplifies that spirit. A chaotic, hilarious, and deeply British comedy, Grilled is reminiscent of classic farces like Fawlty Towers, but with a fresh twist centred around the misadventures of a struggling eatery.

Over at Dee Dee's Eatery, things are not going well for Si, the beleaguered owner. The lockdown has transformed his once promising business into a crumbling, chaotic mess. His staff is a dysfunctional mix of characters, each bringing their own brand of trouble to the table. With a health and hygiene inspection imminent and some dodgy dealings taking place in the back storage room, Si’s dream of success has become a nightmare. Played by David Jones, Si is a man teetering on the edge, desperately trying to keep his staff and eatery in line. Davids’ performance captured the essence of a man in crisis, and his high energy portrayal of Si's stress, frustration, and desperation had the audience hooked from the start.

Among the standout characters was Sarah Jenkins as Trish, the assistant head chef. Trish tries to keep the team together while dealing with her own secret: a pet rat hidden in the staff room, a source of endless tension as she tries to avoid the watchful eyes of both the staff and health inspector. Sarah brought a warmth and lightness to the role, balancing the absurdity of the situation with Trish’s determined positivity. Her interactions with Si and the rest of the staff added layers to the farcical dynamic at play.

Paul Oliver as Dennis, the self-satisfied commis chef who constantly boasts about his time working with “Gordon,” was another highlight. His arrogance and eventual betrayal were delivered with sharp wit, especially when it is revealed that Dennis had been sabotaging the eatery all along by reporting it to the health board and colluding with a rival establishment. Oliver played this devious turn with great finesse, eliciting both laughter and groans from the audience as Dennis’ true intentions came to light.

Fred Jenkins as Al, the hapless head chef, delivered some of the night’s most memorable laughs. His utter lack of culinary skills was clear, and he played the role of the group’s joker with plenty of puns and wit. Fred brought great energy to the stage, paired with impeccable comic timing.

Darren Coates as Bruno, the eccentric wine server with a knack for sampling more wine than he ever serves, paired brilliantly with Adrian Prew as Titch, the deadpan pastry chef. Together, they created a wonderfully comedic duo, their rapport adding a distinct charm to the production. Darrens’ portrayal of Bruno was a delight, whether he was engaging in shady backroom deals or indulging in his over the top "passion" for wine. Meanwhile, Adrian’s Titch brought dry humour to the forefront, especially in moments involving his infamous "special" brownies, making him another comedic standout. Their chemistry added an extra layer of humour that elevated the performance.

Amy Yemm as Suze, the potentially homicidal chef, brought an edgy unpredictability to the cast. Her presence added a sense of danger to the comedy, particularly in moments where her threats of violence were played for laughs yet carried a dark undercurrent.

Hilary Jones gave a fantastic performance as Miss Bond, the health and hygiene inspector. Initially stiff and authoritative, Jones’ portrayal took a wonderfully absurd turn when Miss Bond was bound and gagged by the dysfunctional staff in a desperate attempt to avoid inspection. Hilary conveyed a range of emotions using only her body language and facial expressions during her initial scenes, delivering a standout performance without uttering a word. The big reveal of her true identity late in the play was a surprising and humorous twist, adding yet another layer to the chaotic unravelling of events. Newcomer Sarah Howarth made a memorable debut with her cameo as Emma, the mystery visitor who plays a pivotal role in the play's climactic revelations as the daughter of the food truck owner. Despite being her first stage appearance, Sarah delivered her role with impressive confidence and presence.

The minimal set design effectively captured the dishevelled state of Dee Dee's Eatery, with its drab colours, overflowing bins, and haphazardly strewn boxes reflecting its decline. This stripped back approach kept the focus squarely on the characters and their antics, underscoring the crumbling nature of Si's dream.

Throughout the play, the camaraderie among the cast was palpable. Their energy and enthusiasm never waned, and they played off each other beautifully, creating a dynamic atmosphere that drew the audience into the absurdity of their world. The various twists and turns, particularly towards the end, kept the plot engaging and surprising. The misplacement of the key to keep Miss Bond out of the back storage room created a tense yet comedic situation, while the interactions between Bruno and Titch over their shady deals added delightful layers of intrigue to the performance.

Grilled is a quintessential British comedy, blending slapstick, dark humour, and farcical twists in a fast-paced, witty script by B.A. Morris. Brought to life by a talented cast, the play showcased Morris' skill as both playwright and director, and highlighted Magna Performing Arts' strength in delivering highly entertaining community theatre. With its memorable characters and sharp humour, Grilled was a perfect celebration of Magna’s 45th anniversary—a true delight for fans of British comedy.

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