It Runs in the Family

They say laughter is a good tonic and tonight the audience certainly had a good tonic whilst watching Rotherham Phoenix production of the Ray Cooney farce It Runs in the Family.

This is a typical farce which relies on some good acting, split second timing and a good set as a backdrop for the action; well here we had all three ingredients for a great production which I am sure the director Julie Webb must be very proud.

The action of this play takes place in the Dr’s common room at the local hospital with Dr David Mortimer played to perfection by Frank Bardsley, to say Frank had many lines to learn and was the centrepiece of this play is indeed a great understatement, he was the lynchpin who held the play together and a great job he did too. Dr Mortimer’s long suffering wife, who had no idea as to what had gone on in his past, was played by Elaine Veal and was able to keep a straight face throughout all the action.

Playing Dr Hubert Bonney was Neil Mather and once again he was able to display his fine acting skills, Neil was superb in this part and as always was able to keep the character up all the way through the piece.

A relative new comer to the stage was George Glasby playing one of the other Doctors, Dr Mike Connolly, again we were treated to another fine performance from this young actor not only managing to keep up his character but also cross dressing and flying in and out of the various doors.

Giving a really good performance is Brandon Mullins as the secret love child in this play, Leslie, who appears at first glance as being somewhat of a thug and a punk, Brandon was able to deliver the goods with ease and again was seen to be charging in and out of the doors and through the windows. Playing the part of Leslie’s mother, Jane Tate and secret lover of Dr Mortimer was Jill Connell who again was able to bring this part to life to give a very convincing performance.

There are many parts in this play and everyone has to be on their toes to keep the action going at a good pace, I am very pleased to say everyone did do this to give the audience a truly good evening’s entertainment. The other parts, who as I have said were all played extremely well are Sue Hurst as The Matron who managed to be wheeled around in a wheelchair in an upside down position, I really don’t know how she managed that but she did it well, also playing a very good part was Gaynor Robinson  as the Sister, again managing to keep her character all the way through the play. A new member to Phoenix Players but not to The Civic stage was Martin Farthing as Sir Willoughby Drake, Martin was able to portray his character as a very pompous senior consultant with ease, Greg Muscroft again was able to play a very convincing Police Sergeant and Barrie Judd a patient at the hospital, Bill who added to the laughter both in and out of his wheelchair. Completing the line up for this play was Sue Martin in a much smaller part than she usually plays but nonetheless convincing Mother to Dr Bonney.

A great night out for anyone for which everyone must be congratulated.

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