Move Over Mrs Markham

A Farce comedy by Ray Cooney and John Chapman. Having enjoyed extensive and diverse careers in theatre spanning writing, directing and acting, the pair together have written highly successful farces Not Now Darling, There Goes The Bride and My Giddy Aunt, along with of course Stafford Players latest stage offering Move Over Mrs Markham.

Farce is a wonderful and subtle nuanced art form, certainly written for a far less worldly aware and open era, you certainly have to keep your wits about you, such is the pace of line delivery. A large element of common sense has to be tucked firmly away, as performers stumble for inspiration to ever more elaborate explanations to friends, spouses and colleagues as to the predicaments they find themselves embroiled in, leading the audience into many a bizarre situation, usually involving the loss of said performer’s clothing, in particular men’s trousers, with much hilarity on the way.

I for one, absolutely adore this type of humour, the misdirection, the half overheard stories or incomplete letter devices to further confuse the protagonists. Cooney and Chapman are absolute masters of the genre and Move Over Mrs Markham certainly doesn’t disappoint. I must point out just how well the cast nailed the critical timings of exits and entrances which is absolutely essential in farce.

I won't attempt to relay the plot here, other than to say it’s a typical succession of misunderstandings, multiple entrances and exits with ever mitigating events all building to a manic climax of laugh out loud, really unashamedly funny storytelling at its best.

Scenery and props were sufficient to convey the era, they did look a little rushed in places, the views behind the doors need to be covered or masked as I could see isolator switches and fire extinguishers on the back wall. The costumes varied throughout the cast, some were absolutely spot on, others were too casual, for example Henry Lodge’s polo shirt rather than shirt and tie, Miss Wilkinson’s dress looked really authentic, but her lingerie and hosiery was modern.

Director David Harfield went to town with the excellent script. The excellent cast brought the characters to life, larger than life in some instances, typical genre apartment scenery, main living room and bedroom with many entrances to kitchens, maids room and bathroom, all used to perfection.

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