Some Mothers Do 'ave 'em

Some mothers do ‘AVE’ EM

The Carlton Players

15/11/23

Some Mothers do ‘ave ‘em an iconic British television Comedy from the 70s premiered as a stage play at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon on the 21st February 2018, the production was written by Guy Unsworth.

Brought to the Little Theatre stage by The Carlton Players we are treated to a nostalgic evening of British farce.  We are in the living room of Frank & Betty Spencer’s house, stage left a set of steps up to the first floor, the décor in keeping with the 1970’s it is a perfect space for what action is to come.

Betty Spencer (Lucy Ashdown) is in deep conversation with Father O’Hara (Brian Dickinson) discussing how she is going to give the news she is pregnant to her husband Frank.

Frank (Tom Jenkinson) is down on his luck as usual, having recently lost his most recent job, he arrives home from an audition as a magician, explaining to Betty that it had all gone horribly wrong when the diamond watch he made vanish refused to re-materialise. Betty is unable to get Frank’s attention as the dinner guests are expected any time. First to arrive is Bettys’ mother Barbara Fisher (Linda O’Brien) who enjoys the company of younger men, invites her bank Manager David Worthington (Paul Griggs) to join her. Linda gave a fine performance, her drunken outbursts on the prune wine were hilarious, well done. Betty discovers an envelope that has been pushed under their door (they do not have a letterbox as Frank made the door!!) from the BBC who have heard of Franks ambition to be a magician want to interview him for their show ‘Stars of Tomorrow’.  Paul Griggs doubled up as the BBC presenter Mr Luscombe, his tech cameraman Leslie Robin (Evan Dunn) also doubles up as the constable, but that’s another story.

As we all know chaos follows Frank everywhere, from the death of his pet chicken Mrs Linburg, flickering lights, door bell ringing, and water pipe leaking, plus copious amount of homemade prune wine events begins to spin out of control with misunderstandings and conversations at cross purposes, also Frank’s over-ambitious DIY comes into question, as the wall literally fell in, a great effect by the way well done stage crew.

Director Steve Youster admits it was a challenge to bring such an iconic television comedy to the Little Theatre stage. Steve states in the programme that he hopes we enjoy the new boy to Carlton Players Tom Jenkinson in his portrayal of this unique cult character. All I can say is we truly did, the audience loved his performance, one to watch for the future. Congratulations, Tom.

 

Thank you for my invitation, it was a thoroughly entertaining evening. Well done to all concerned.

 

Joanne Rymer

NODA

District 4

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