Present Laughter

First impressions of the Green Room…will I bang my head or suffer from claustrophobia ? No, nothing of the sort. Inside was a large, cosy bar with plenty of chairs. The auditorium was also well appointed, with smart comfortable seating. Everyone was friendly and so very proud of their home-grown theatre. 

Programme listed cast and crew. It was informative and well-illustrated, with good cast photographs & bios.

The set was a wonder… beautifully designed, decorated and furnished. It was sturdy, seemed spacious and offered five credible doorways…all within a very small area. Cast moved smoothly in, out and around with no crowding or collisions. Props were plentiful and of the right period and status.  These were smoothly handled.

Sound was very good, with all the sound cues spot-on. Lighting was attractive and appropriate for the times of the day. 

Costumes, hair and make-up were very well chosen and appropriate to the date (40s ?) and the characters. Everyone looked right.

First up was delightful but dim debutante, Daphne Stillington, who was infatuated with the principal character. Lovely, dizzy performance from Sophie Johnstone. Linda McMahon was the grumpy housekeeper, Miss Erikson; with a fine accent and timing. And then she reappeared as the beaming, gracious Lady Saltburn.  Really good work.

Fred, the valet, was adroitly played by Jon Day. He radiated smooth efficiency and cynicism whilst knowing his place. Sally Jones was superb as Monica, the perfect controlling secretary. She excelled at great banter with Garry. Liz, played by Lara Young, also had good chemistry with her ex-husband. She soon hit her stride and impressed with her characterisation…she really listened and observed.

One hopes that Felix Cuthbert’s Roland was just an “illusion of an amusing, eccentric creep”; because it was a very powerful illusion indeed. He thoroughly inhabited the smug, insensitive character.

Andrew Mayne and Matt Weaver, as Henry and Morris, were delightfully funny as the lugubrious slaves of Joanna. They were quite the double act, even to their matching suits, starched collars and stiff necks.

Joanna, herself, was beautifully played by Helen Teasdale. She became that brittle femme fatale who always got what she wanted…until she’s thwarted by her prey, Garry. Enjoyed her emergence from the bedroom in the same (man’s) dressing gown as Daphne.

David Young did great justice to the central character of Garry Essendine. He demonstrated fine pace and comic timing and wonderfully maintained this vain, waspish, OTT creature.

I think it was the funniest Noel Coward play I’ve ever seen… very largely due to the skills of the cast and the Director, Geoff Brown. The speed and clarity of delivery was worthy of the Master, himself; and all displayed great timing and interaction.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.