Look No Hans!

Set in the 1980’s, Peter Fisher (Andy Canadine), manager of the West Berlin offices of a British car company, is endeavouring to sell British cars to the German public and finding it extremely difficult. Meanwhile the natives in Britain are falling over themselves to purchase BMW’s, VW’s, and even those ghastly Beetles. Peter is also a secret agent for the British Security of Industry, a role for which he appears to have little aptitude and not much interest.

 Soon after the opening of this play it became obvious that Peter was in a job that he was unlikely to make a great success of, nor was he going to derive much satisfaction being a secret agent. But this production went into top gear with the arrival of his mistress Heidi (Joanne Moules) who attempted to take off her clothes complaining it was too hot. Peter helpfully suggested she should go up on the roof and sunbathe. Then Mitzi (Caroline Johnson) a voluptuous scantily clad singing telegram girl arrived and she was directed to hide in the kitchen, later being called upon to prepare an omelette? Cadwallader (Tony Gordon) also a BSI spy arrived claiming that he was to meet another agent from the East at this venue – space was becoming scarce. Peter’s wife Monica (Julie Stevenson) came home due to her flight cancelation: and went to the bathroom to “freshen up”. Tregunter-Jones (Niki Thompson) yet another member of the spy fraternity arrived, claiming she too had to rendezvous with a “fellow spy” at this location; she was wearing masculine style clothing and displayed a rather butch image.

So instead of Peter spending his birthday quietly on his own, this developed into a phenomenally frenetic farce which quickly generated much mirth among the audience. It was immensely entertaining! The team’s timing was particularly impressive though I unhesitatingly declare the filing cabinet as winner of the sparring bouts with Peter who wasn’t quite quick enough! This was a well-chosen cast, all appropriately costumed, who displayed excellent characterisation.

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