Habeas Corpus

The Front of House Team at the Key Studio were efficient and friendly and if there were prizes for the amount of NODA medals and bars on display, then PODS would win hands down, which demonstrates how long they have been in the business and the experience and professionalism is evident in every production. This production of Alan Bennet’s Habeas Corpus was their second attempt at a play following the success of ”Stepping Out”. This is a very brave diversion for PODS from their usual excellent musical productions, and even with a stellar cast and great direction, there are still a few wrinkles to iron out, but I am sure, given time, PODS will reach their goal.

The open stage in the studio was a simple box set representing the private consulting rooms of Dr Arthur Wicksteed’s family home. Although nicely decorated, some of the flats were weak and could have benefitted from some extra French braces as support and more substantial returns. Rob Melhuish’s set design was good, however the fixed positioning of the surgery screen was a little too dominant and obscured a good portion of the room, and in my opinion would have benefitted from a mobile screen that could have been manoeuvred and folded when not in use. The props were minimal and appropriate but did not display the affluence of a private family doctors consulting rooms. The bay window, upstage right, could have had the net curtains closed as there was no external backdrop or lighting change to represent time of day. Similarly the Street door lacked an external backdrop and needed to be a bit more substantial with perhaps a latch. Rob’s lighting design had an adequate internal wash, but the special on the pier downstage right, could have had a blue gel to signify external daylight at 2.30 in the afternoon. The sound effects, especially in the flashback to the blitz, needed to be a little quieter as a lot of the dialogue was lost. The contemporary costumes were good, but could have had at least slight variations to mark the passage of time.

John Lillyman’s direction was very good. A piece of farce is notoriously easy to get wrong, but John managed it very well. However Mr Purdue’s suicide attempt could have been handled better, although the lighting behind the screen was effective, the throwing of the rope, over the stage left flat, was disappointing.

Mark Harris as Dr Wicksteed in midlife crisis, gave a solid performance with good timing, alongside Jennie Dighton as his sex starved wife. Nikki Stimson as the spinster sister Connie Wicksteed was very funny, as was Glen Whitmore as her suitor, Canon Throbbing. Doug Pattie gave a commanding performance as Sir Percy Shorter, however there were so many important references in the script to his lack of stature that Doug’s ample height made it difficult to suspend disbelief. Pat Jackson was formidable as Lady Rumpers and recoverd well from a couple of line stumbles. Harvey Jones as Dennis the hypochondriac son of the Wicksteed’s was great, with excellent deadpan delivery. Jericho Taylor as Felicity Rumpers, was every bit the young attractive socialite. Calvin Lawrence as Mr Shanks and Tim Farr as Mr Purdue were both very good in their roles. Lianne Johnson was wonderful as Mrs Swabb who carried the whole piece along with her interjections and comic philosophies, although in future, Lianne does need to wait just a beat for the laughter to die down before delivering the next line.

This was a very enjoyable production and an obvious crowd pleaser. A good second effort in this genre from PODS.

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