Run For Your Wife

A successful farce should comprise several key elements and Ecclesall Theatre Company’s production of “Run for Your Wife” had them all. The actors gave first-class performances, with well-defined characterisations. The complicated dialogue requires a high level of concentration and was delivered at a good pace complete with excellent diction and accents. The cast worked extremely well-together and their entrances, exits and answering of the numerous telephone calls was perfectly timed. This all produced a picture of organised chaos and as the play progressed, the story line became more and more complicated.

John Smith, a taxi driver, somehow manages to have two wives, Mary Smith, and Barbara Smith, and this involves him living in two different homes. He has up to now coped very well with his hectic life with the help of a well-thought-out schedule; however, things do not run as smoothly for him due to an unfortunate accident. While recovering in hospital, he inadvertently gives out both of his home addresses which then brings the matter to the attention of two different police stations. This is when trouble begins, and things are not helped when a newspaper reporter/photographer gets wind of the situation.

John desperately tries to explain to Mary why the police are there, but his story sounds implausible, especially when he tries to ring wife number two to explain why he will be late. The situation only gets more convoluted. Stanley Gardner lives in the flat above and tries to help John by adding his own version of the events but, between the two of them, the situation only gets worse. And even funnier, especially when they move from one apartment to the other where Barbara lives. With so much happening, John and Stanley begin to forget which story they are relating and confusion reigns.

As the saying goes: “Oh what a web of lies we weave, when at first we do deceive”

Adam Diskin gave a brilliant performance as John Smith, a character requiring boundless energy, mannerisms, and a great personality. With such a large amount of dialogue, it was exhausting watching him move around the stage and his characterisation of John was perfect. 

Tom Pymer gave an outstanding performance as Stanley Gardner and with great facial expressions and actions matching John’s, Tom was completely at ease with his character.  When writing the play, Ray Cooney gave these two characters some of the funniest lines and intended that they should work like a double-act - Adam and Tom did this admirably.

Mary Smith, wife number one, was played by Kiera Rhodes, and Barbara Smith, wife number two, by Sian Butler-Walsh. These two ladies were superb, not only with their acting and deliverance of dialogue, but also with their body language perfectly matching their entirely different characters. Mary, dressed to fit the demure and quiet lady only occasionally losing her cool and so different to Barbara, the very sensual lady trying to encourage John to join her in the bed; each with outfits perfectly complementing their respective characters. Excellent performances.

Adding to the mixture are the two detectives following up on John’s accident, Detective Sergeant Troughton from one area and Detective Sergeant Porterhouse from another. Each detective meets with just one of John’s wives and gets a different story to match. With John contradicting his story, the DS’s try to sort out what is true and what is not, and somehow or other end up being part of John’s hectic life. Graham Millar as DS Troughton and Paul Webb as DS Porterhouse were perfect in these roles. They try to bring a level of professionalism to the proceedings, but with Smith and Gardner it wasn’t an easy task.

Living in the flat above John and Barbara is the very flamboyant and gay Bobby Franklin, who only adds to the chaos as he wanders in and out of their flat. Paul Voodini gives a strong performance as Franklin, with great timing. No matter which character he portrays Paul’s interpretation is always excellent.

Although we only got a glimpse of the Newspaper Reporter this was an integral part of the storyline and Sue Preston certainly made a good entrance.

This production ticked all the boxes without ever “going over the top” with the action. All achieved with a great many hours of rehearsals, excellent direction and an impressive set portraying the two apartments. You had us in fits of laughter and congratulations to everyone involved.

Thank you for the invite and a most enjoyable evening at the theatre.

Sue Cox

NODA

NE Drama Rep Reg 14

 

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