I'll Get My Man

A very enjoyable evening, with a funny play, well-acted, and an appreciative audience.

The set was well-conceived, giving the actors plenty of room to manoeuvre, and I liked the sliding doors, as it meant no-one was hit by an opening door, or had to decide which way the door opened!  The set looked a little unfinished at the top of the back of the stage, which spoiled the impact of the rest of the set, which was nicely dressed.

Lighting was suitable, with relevant sound effects cutting in well, the phone didn’t ring once it was picked up, and small attention to detail in that department was good.

Projection was good from the whole cast, so nice to witness, and vital for a farce where every nuance is needed to keep track of the action.

Chris Fletcher was the rather bumbling Reverend Arthur Humphrey, the hilarity caused by his advertising for a lady being one of the main threads, and his naivety at the attention it would cause was very amusing.  Although I could hear every word, I would have liked a little more emphasis in parts, to add more dimension to the character.

Lynne Morris as Harriette, Arthur’s overbearing sister, gave a good portrayal, I think she would have been a little more effective if she’d varied her level of speech occasionally, for example, if when she went upstairs to the bedroom after a particularly trying time, it would have created a contrasting effect if she’d lowered her voice to a growl.

Tammy Calvert once again created a super charlady, Mrs Carter.  Tammy gets good nuances in her characterisations, and always gives meaning and interest to the part she is playing.

I liked Bridget Calvert’s take on Winifred Barrington-Locke, the supposedly staid older woman, but who had a definite twinkle in her eye, with her wish to find a second husband!

Rob Tabone Jnr was the nephew of Arthur and Harriette, trying to get away from his pursuer Pixie Potter, there were many facets to his character, and he dealt with them all with aplomb.

Josephine De Brissac, a slightly psychic lady who fancied she had known Arthur in a previous life, was very well played by Sarah Furniss, you could see her belief in the past, and I really liked her portrayal.

Victoria Goode was a very lively and enthusiastic Pixie (I’ll Get My Man) Potter, loved her hair and outrageous outfit, then the dramatic transformation into a charming young lady, very well done.

Malcolm Calvert reprised his role as the Bishop of Lax, he had the right amount of gravitas for a Bishop, but showed his human side when confronted by Winifred.  A good performance.

Leo Morawski and Stephen Parry played the Postman and Photographer, and generally helped the action along.

There were small very amusing moments, such as the fairy cakes/rock buns, and the confusion between Wintergreen and Vaseline, with them being on the same counter in Boots, where Winifred had worked.  Seemingly insignificant lines, but ones which left an impression.

A very interesting production, with plenty of laughs, which the audience obviously enjoyed, as did I.

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