No Room For Love

‘No Room For Love’ is a bedroom farce, well-suited to the ‘end of the pier’ (well almost) location of the Mowlem Theatre. Co-written by Bob Grant, of ‘On the Buses’ fame – he played Reg Varney’s lecherous sidekick – this script contains all the bawdy innuendo and bed-hopping we might expect. SDC had clearly worked their socks off to master the intricacies of navigating multiple doorways, corridors and a lift and they deserve full marks for achievement. With a solid set by Brian Travers, there was no unseemly wafting of the scenery as a French horn, a harp, golf clubs and innumerable items of baggage were lugged through the ever-busy doorways.

This production was well-cast by Director Pat Jones. Carrie Gelder was believable as the bossy, squeaky, inefficient and over-perfumed manageress, always frustrated by Albert, the revolting and grasping porter. Stewart Jones played his part with relish, making full use of his facial and physical mobility. Rosemary Horn was convincing and looked the part as floozy Michele, trying to get her hooks into Dr George Garfield (Michael Peden). I would suggest finding another voice for the character of Michele. Ro Smith played doctor’s wife Winifred to perfection. John Atwood as the grumpy musician and Anne Peden as his alcoholic wife made a strong couple; Mrs Peden was skilful in the fluidity of the movement, yet the drunkenness was never over-played. The lovers were certainly star-crossed in this script, with Olivia Peden and Brian Travers demonstrating their naivety, desire, frustration and relief by turns. ‘Squirrel’ coped well with the demands of hiccoughs, while there was more than a dash of Benny Hill in ‘Badger’s’ coy discontent.

The slightly seedy hotel set was just right for the period (1979) as were the costumes.  Lighting design was expert, as the hotel darkened and the focus, at last, was on the honeymoon bed.

Well done, SDC, for tackling a very difficult and complex script.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.