Out of Order

A Cabinet minister’s illicit evening in a London hotel is brought to an abrupt end when he and his paramour discover a dead body in their suite. The Government could fall and his marriage end unless they can wriggle out of this situation with reputations intact. The author of this play, Ray Cooney, Britain’s greatest living farceur, is of the opinion that farce needs actors who can play tragedy since it is more akin to tragedy than it is to comedy and they must have the technique, the stamina, the precision and the dexterity that farce demands. The cast of this production certainly had these attributes and worked extremely hard as a team rushing around dealing with predicaments. Paul Meakin (as the MP Richard ‘Dicky’ Willey) excelled himself as someone who was quick to involve others and transfer responsibilities to them. Tony Lane (as George Pigden – Willey’s long suffering Parliamentary secretary) was used extensively by the MP to undertake a multitude of tasks aimed at covering up for Willey. Suzanne Stevens (as Jane Worthington, Willey’s paramour) was very much left to deal with her husband Ronnie (played by William Clamp) when he unexpectedly turns up looking for his wife, readily admitting he has failed to physically satisfy her. Joss Smith (as Pamela Willey) then arrives on the scene and very soon becomes enamoured with George Pigden). Gail Meakin (as Nurse Gladys Foster) arrives to check on George Pigden’s welfare but falls for George Pigden just to add to the chaos. John Sheppard (as the hotel manager) spends his time very much bewildered by the goings on, as does Allison Allen (as Maria – the housemaid) who is hampered by her lack of understanding of the English language. Nigel Howitt (as Cromwell) the room service waiter was always quick to identify occasions when he was due a financial reward. The action occurred on a very soundly constructed set which stood up to constant door slamming and a super-efficient sash window, which having appeared to have caused the death of Simon Johnson, went on to almost behead other members of the cast. This was a production that had pace and generated a considerable amount of laughter as the audience knew what was at stake for the characters in the play. Congratulations on this superb team effort.

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