Rumours

This Neil Simon play is set in a suburban house on the 10th wedding anniversary of the owners and four couples are invited to attend. This convoluted story illustrates what happens when people tell each other lies because they think it is the right thing to do and the chaos that ensues.

Must start off by saying that the set looked very impressive and worked well for the cast allowing them to move around on the split-level design. After the show the set builders told me they were justly proud of what they had achieved.

The first couple – Ken and Chris Bevans (Josh Francis and Beth Marsh). Ken, who had been struck deaf by being too close to a wayward gunshot, spent most of the show mis-hearing people and passing comments on things that had been and gone. It would be very easy to make this ridiculous, but it was beautifully handled by Josh. He was ably assisted by Beth as she progressively got more and more drunk. This part was also in safe hands as she stumbled, tripped her way around the stage and always ending at the drinks trolley.

Claire (Lillian Carver) and Leonard Cummings (Jack Morter) arrived at the party having been involved in an accident in Leonards new BMW. Claire was determined to have a good time but soon got seriously embroiled in the various lies that were floating about. With her bubbly enthusiasm and no mean acting skill she was more than a match for anything that was thrown her way. Her Husband, Leonard was a delight to watch as he blundered his way through so many difficult situations, his final speech, when he pretends to be someone else and tells the whole story was worthy of its round of applause. Jack seems to get better every time we see him, with a confident and self-assured manner on stage.

Cookie (Jennie Reavey), the celebrity chef, and Ernest Cusack (Andy Leitch), her therapist husband, gave us some light relief as they prepared the anniversary meal due to staff shortages. Cookies bad back giving her grief at the most inopportune moments and causing Ernest to suffer some serious burns. As these two actors raced in and out of doors, made us laugh then disappeared back to the kitchen, you could see their experience and ability shining through.

Last to arrive were Glenn (Hamilton Brown) and Cassie Cooper (Isla Butcher). Glenn the would-be MP, demonstrating all the characteristics that were required to make us believe he would make a perfect Member of Parliament and his, supposedly, betrayed wife very skilfully portrayed by someone with very strong acting prowess.

Needless to say in a story like this there has to be police. PC Conklin (Steve Hannah) arrived to take statements but was having trouble believing anybody. He was helped in his quest by WPC Casey (Margaret White) listening to her totally inaudible messages on her police walkie-talkie, both giving good little cameos to help this nicely twisted ending.

Full marks to the cast for maintaining a strong pace throughout this very wordy piece and to Maris McCann/Jon Moule for their direction. Judging by the audience response it was well received.

Thankyou as always for your warm welcome and for your commiserations on our journey from Hell to get to Old Buckenham.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.