Habeas Corpus

Habeas Corpus is a  very funny comedy written by author Alan Bennett which was first performed at the Lyric Theatre in London in 1973. Set in Brighton and Hove, the play centres on the Wicksteed family and is a comedic look at the human weaknesses of the family and their acquaintances at the beginning of the sexual revolution of the 1960’s. As we meet all the characters and the action begins unfortunately identities are mistaken and the result is a few lost trousers and confusion reigns.

The superb innovative set designed by Mike Taylor made full use of the stage area providing an excellent view  of the production for all the audience, there was also very good technical input as well as  admirable comedy performances with no weak links from  all the cast resulting in an excellent comedy experience.The audience were kept up to date with the fast moving plot by the nosey  Mrs Swabb, the cleaning lady  played by the brilliantly funny Sue Hilton  who talked aside to the audience throughout the play. Central to the action are local General Practitioner Dr Arthur Wicksteed and his wife, Arthur superbly played with just the right amount of understatement by David Walker has a weakness for lusting after his young female patients and Diane Glover excelled in the role of his wife Muriel Wicksteed with spot on comic timing. Muriel still holds a candle for her old flame Sir Percy Shorter, Chairman of the BMA.well played by Ken Brindley whose character is frustrated as his attempts to expose Dr Wicksteed's misdeeds are thwarted at the last moment. Arthur Wicksteed is presently trying unsuccessfully to pursue a relationship with Felicity Rumpers seductively played by Sara Norse, who was very well complemented by Sean Roberts as Dennis the doctor’s hypochondriac son, who thinks he is dying, which fits wonderfully into Felicity’s plans for the future. However, trying to thwart those plans is Felicity's protective mother Lady Rumpers played with haughty snobbishness by Renee Clitheroe, Cassandra Moon produced a spot on characterisation as Arthur’s flat-chested dowdy spinster sister Connie Wicksteed, Connie is engaged to Canon Throbbing who has a repressed large sexual appetite and was amusing played by Justin De Rizzio-George.  Connie tries to remedy her problem and put some adventure into her life by ordering a pair of ‘falsies’ from a magazine, but when Barry Callander as a very funny Mr Shanks the sales representative arrives at Wicksteed's home to follow up on Connie’s purchase he makes a big mistake with the result that mix ups, mistaken identities and mayhem ensues. I have to mention a wonderfully funny cameo performance from Bob Hopkinson who played Purdue a patient of Dr Wicksteed’s who was trying hard to attract everyone’s attention by threatening to commit suicide. Unfortunately, he was ignored by the other characters who were all concerned with their own problems. Diction, projection and clarity of words was excellent which meant the plot could be followed easily and the pace was fast and just right which is very important in this kind of production. Sandra Dickinson and Charades Costumes were as usual spot on for the era and enhanced and suited the production.

It is very easy for a production of this kind to fall flat and go wrong, however in this instance it was positively not the case, I must congratulate Director Barbara Wilcox for bringing to the stage a piece of outstanding comedy and well done to the Stage Manager Lesley Duckworth, the stage crew, set builders, technical crew and to all involved in this production. Thank you for inviting us we look forward to your next production.
 

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