Monstrous Regiment

Continuing their tradition of mixing it up with genre’s, RADS took us on a journey into Discworld with a Terry Pratchett classic adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs with the very clever Monstrous Regiment.

Now having never read or seen a Terry Pratchett novel I was incredibly intrigued and had no idea what to expect. What was delivered was a great script delivered brilliantly by Director Charles Lambert and a very talented cast of 20, many playing multiple parts within the play. The basic, and there are a lot more layers to it than this brief synopsis, plot revolves around a number of outcasts and strange characters signing up to join a regiment, Borogravia in their battle against the Zlobenians. In a world where Vampires and Igors are more accepted into the military than women, Monstrous Regiment certainly challenged all these beliefs. With endless twists and turns in what was not only a very humorous script but very thought provoking too, the cast all excelled in creating excellent characters, vital to the plot.

With a lot of scene changes and character twists Charles and the stage crew did an excellent job in utilising all the entrances and exits available, using the front curtain effectively whilst large scenery changes took place. The pace of the show was slick and although an extraordinarily long play, it never once felt dragged or slow in the script. Not only did Charles’s direction create an entertaining production but alongside Beki Stevenson the props and set were fantastic with great attention to detail in every vital prop, from weapons to roaring fires the detail was superb. The costuming also matched the precision throughout with regal Red and battered uniforms contrasting superbly to the dark and black uniforms of the enemy. A superb job all round from the whole production team.

RADS always seem to cast their shows excellently and in Monstrous Regiment they were able to not only pull from their strong membership but it was great to see a lot of new faces on the Georgian Theatre stage. With a cast of twenty you might expect some weaknesses but there were none to speak of. From the experienced hands to the first timers everyone mastered their characters, all adding to the story perfectly.

The story would jump around a lot, thankfully we had Stewart Kerr and Belinda Curtis on hand, almost acting as the narrators of the show, also jumping in and out of other scenes. Their dialogue was well delivered and told with great meaning and animation.

The regiment itself was mostly made up of women disguised as men trying their hardest to escape their pasts or desperately searching for something in the battle. They would all secretly be hiding something, and not just their true gender from the regiment. Elijah Enborn kept a very quiet and solemn figure as Lofty throughout mixing well with her friend Tonker, played with great stature by Georgie Robertson. Georgie mixed the role up well, hiding in the background well but showing some fierce behaviour and protection of her quieter friend. Their past revealed they were escaping quite a brutal and violent past in a home.

Chloe Gillie was perhaps the most confusing character in the play, her complete loyalty and devotion to an unseen Goddess, the Duchess, really well delivered. She did an excellent job building and building her character to finally reveal herself as the Duchess herself. Not only did Chloe build some many layers to her role, the development of the character itself was incredibly well played.

Alex Caffrey, as Shufti, provided some great comedy to the scenes with her large than life characterisation. Her bond would develop with the regiment and her vulnerable and softer side came through later on really effectively.

Mixing it up within the ranks, and more accepted than the women were our three “monsters,” a Troll, Igor, and a Vampire. Howard Firth was excellent as Carborundum, the Troll, often in the background but with a sensational costume ensuring he would have no chance of hiding. When called on his lines were delivered with a real punch, especially on the revelation of his identity, Jade!

Rachel Hall was excellent as Igor, her hunch almost as bold as her characterisation. Her physical movement across the stage matched her excellent timing and stage presence. She gave us so many sides to this misunderstood character and you could not help but be transfixed on her facial expressions and little details.

Also delivering an excellent accent, although much more subtle was the brilliant Eleanor Harland playing the role of Maladict, our vampire. Possibly the coolest and most suave character on stage, her subtle germanic tweak to her accent just helped build the character. Her swagger and demeanour were so elegant which contrasted excellently to her Act Two meltdowns and hallucinations over lack of caffeine… we could all sympathise!

Originally in charge of this rabble of a regiment was Archie Emery and Mike Walker as Corporal Strappi and Sgt Jackrum. Contrasting brilliantly with each other as newbie strict and obnoxious Corporal and experienced and round the houses Sgt.

Mike Walker was fabulous in the role, giving us everything from sharp wit, great characterisation and rapport with his troops yet also showing a softer and more compassionate side to his character, especially with his connection to Chloe Reid as Polly (Ozzy). From the offset it was pretty clear the Sgt knew his recruit was in fact a girl and he effectively took her under his wing. Protecting her throughout there was an almost father like, albeit rough round the edges, approach to their relationship. Archie was brilliant as the brutish Corporal also playing so many more characters throughout and managing to put his own twist and detail into every very different role. I believe he took on the Corporal role very late but you would not have known as his script was excellent and he was great in every part. Also appearing in a cameo role, and to “help” the regiment was Gary Winn as Corporal Scallot. A lovely cameo part and his tales of past demeanours and wars were excellently delivered with some great comedy storytelling. The loss of leg and denial of cannibalism a standout moment.

Now the misfit Troops were not the only ones completely out of their depth as they were joined by a newly promoted Lieutenant, Blouse, played by the consistently impressive Dan Westgarth. He really played the nervous and bimbling officer effectively, more obsessed with being clean shaved than putting any detail into war planning. He truly came into his own in full drag disguised as a washer woman. Ironically being the only man in the regiment, his own naivety making him the only cast member unable to see this fact!

Up against the regiment we had our very own fierce and completely useless army of Zlobenians. Alan Paine played the Captain with a stiff upper lip and menacing demeanour with Scott Fenney trying as the Sergeant to keep in control of matters. Scott had a great energetic nervousness about his character, determined to be in control and like his second character, General Froc in the finale, failing brilliantly. On board with the Zlobenian Army and keeping control of Keep in awful fashion was Joe Burke who also doubled up as Otto and the Inn’s landlord. His characterisations were lovely and perfectly over the top in each of the roles he played, often pairing up with Archie Amery and delivering a great double act. Susie Ordish also doubled up playing Mrs Enid and General Kzupi, two very different roles but handled with ease by this lovely actress.

Not despite all the chaos throughout from the scenes and characters themselves, one person stayed in “almost” complete control of the action and her own story and that was Chloe Reid as Ozzy (or Polly in her true identity). Joining the regiment to find her brother lost in the action she was the central figure throughout, bringing the regiment together and trying to hide hers and everybody else's identity from their superiors. Chloe was sensational in this role and I was so pleased to see her step up to a leading role having seen her in many smaller roles to date. She controlled the scenes, kept the pace going and was a joy to watch delivering so many different sides to her, confusion, fear, and stubbornness to name just a few. This was a truly all-round great display from an actress I hope we will see much more of in the future.

The final scenes and exposure of not only Polly’s true identity but also the true female identity of almost every character, including the Regiment Generals brought the show to a great climax. Not only had the play delivered some great action and comedy but delivered a true message to not having to hide your identity, to be who you want to be and let others accept you. The message certainly came across well and was the perfect conclusion to another wonderful performance from RADS. Thank you to everyone involved!

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