Out of Order

Having experienced some casting difficulties and cast changes over several months I was pleased to attend COMIC Theatre Company for their production of Ray Cooney’s Out of Order. From previous experience of this society I was expecting an enjoyable evening. It was good to report I along with the rest of the audience was not to be disappointed.

Out of Order was written in 1990 and ran at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End staring Donald Sinden and Michael Williams winning the 1991 Oliver Award for Best Comedy.

The farce is set in a suite at a plush London Hotel – The Westminster. A junior minister is about to embark on an illicit evening with the leader of the opposition’s secretary. What could go wrong? As this is a farce it is very likely an awful lot will with characters getting more embroiled in the plot!

Central to the plot were Steven Leonard as Richard (Dicky) Willey and Liam McNally as George Pigden (his PPS). Steven played the part with great enthusiasm and pace especially as he continually tried to diffuse the situation only to be making it even worse.  Congratulations for stepping up to the role. Liam was confident as the foil for his boss with his exasperation of the situation while providing good comedy moments.

Jess Billingham as Jane Worthington (the secretary) played the part well and with confidence working well with both the male leads.

The ‘Body’ was superbly played by Ian Underwood. Spending most of act one hung up in the wardrobe the limpness and motionless of the believed to be dead body with ease. Working with Liam on the chaise longue was played at its best.

Roland Strawn was convincing in his role as the Waiter who took every opportunity to benefit from the web of deceit receiving tips for his assistance providing ways out of the ever-increasing chaos.

Throughout the play we hear of Nurse Foster. It was someway, into the play before we finally get to meet her played by Juliette Randel who seemed to relish in the role.

Finally, but not least were newcomers, or making their first appearance in a play with COMIC, Tom Homer as the angry cheated husband, Christine Thomas as the cheated wife, Nina Warwick as the frustrated and bewildered Hotel Manager and Emma Billingham as the non-English speaking maid. All four established the character of the role and added to the production.  

The set was basic as the space available was limited. The plot however depended on a sash window and a wardrobe. At times the window almost became part of the cast due to the importance placed upon it closing on cue trapping people or just missing them as they escaped and entered the hotel suite! Congratulations to Emma Billingham entitled ‘Window Banger’ within the programme upon the timing.

Costumes or at times the lack of them were suitable for the production. As this was opening night and therefore the first-time cast had to be at times scantily clad in front of a live audience they did well and remained in character.

This was an enjoyable evening. Although the action did not stop it was evident the script went a bit astray at times. However, this was minimal and did not detract from the overall production.

Congratulations to the whole team on getting the show on stage after the upheaval of recasting and postponement – it paid off in the end!

Currently, I am not aware of the title of the next COMIC production. All I do know is whatever it is I am confident it will be one to look forward to.

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