Last of The Duty Free

I would suspect most people of a certain age will remember the iconic ‘80s sitcom “Duty Free” which starred the late Yorkshire Man, Keith Baron and Gwen Taylor as the happily married couple who go on holiday to Marbella and meet another like minded couple, an illicit affair ensues between the Keith Baron character, David and Linda from the other couple.

This was a hilarious TV programme and the stage show is equally as good especially when you have such good actors as Richard Bevan as David and Jan Ibberson as his ever loving wife, Amy it is a sure fire hit.

David and Amy are working class so when they meet middle class Linda and Robert played superbly by Angela Blackwell and John Castell the sparks and Cupid’s Bows start to fly between David and Linda and here they continue whilst on this holiday. This play is a little like the old Brian Rix Farces, again something which people of a certain age will remember, with people going in and out of the hotel foyer and the balcony of one of the rooms. Actions like this require strict timing and here the whole cast worked it really well, including using various disguises.

The hotel in question also houses a young couple on their honeymoon who manage to get tied up in the action; here the two were played by Catherine Newsome as Claire and Marc Vestey as Jeremy both of whom were exceptional in their respective characters.

The characterisation of all the ones who took part in this play was extremely believable which only added to the enjoyment of the whole experience. I must also mention Bill Darwin who played the waiter, Carlos who although had very few lines he was able to make a great impact on the whole performance.

Congratulations must be given to Sue McCormick who directed this play and also to David Shaw, Alan Mitchell, Rob Calnan, Keith Holdsworth and Simon Warner for a brilliant set design and build which only added to the whole experience. 

 

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