Jack Absolute Flies Again

Staged as part of the Birmingham Comedy Festival, this play was a new one for me and was staged well by this company. 

Set during Wold War Two the production introduced us to pilots based at Fontwell Manor, the home of Mrs. Malaprop and her maid Lucy.  We meet the men and women based at Fontwell Manor and learn about the life and times of Jack Absolute and his father Sir Anthony Absolute.  Lydia Languish and Lucy are both after the same young man, Dudley Scunthorpe, officer with a broad Yorkshire Accent.  Jack had a fling with Lydia sometime ago and his father would like him to reprise it.  What happens then is a comedy with double meanings, audience participation and some mistaken identity’s. 

Andrew Elkington as Jack created a great character with some good facial expressions.  Playing Lydia Languish was Jordan Starling who played a very believable character.  Julia Melville Played Lily Fox and Kevin Tofte, Roy Faulkland were well cast.  Patrick Shannon gave a great performance as fitter Dudley Scunthorpe who all the girls are after, even Brian Coventry played by James Browning.  I also enjoyed the performances of James David Knapp, Rav Deu and Lou Styles.  I must say that Shelly Smith as Mrs. Malaprop (Some great one liners), Vicky Youster as Lucy the maid and Nigel Price as Sir Anthony Absolute did it for me.  Great comic timing and great performances.  

The set was impressive and made full use of the Crescent Stage.  Costumes were just right for the period and the sound and lighting good. 

Steph Urquhart did a sterling job with this play and should be very pleased with the outcome. 

Thank you so much for the invite and I look forward to seeing you perform all again soon.

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