The Good Life

This well loved 1970’s BBC TV comedy, written by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey, was adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams and opened at the Theatre Royal, Bath on 7 October 2021. Although it is set in the 1970’s the situations the two set of neighbours engender - and the laughter they give rise to - are still recognisable in today’s world. Morag Barron, in her directorial debut, has done a wonderful job in bringing the suburban life of the eco-friendly Tom and Barbara Good and their posh middle-class neighbours Margo and Gerry Leadbetter to life wringing out every ounce of humour whether from the delivery of the lines or facial expressions or physical comedy. Chris Tunks and Alison Ozog as Tom and Barbara were perfectly cast as the young couple setting out to become self-sufficient after Tom has a mid-life crisis and gives up his job. The scene where they are trying to milk Geraldine the Goat was hilarious and the scene where they were trying to revive the runt of Pinkie the Pig’s litter was beautifully handled. Aileen Hendry and Andy Pyott as Margo and Gerry too were perfectly cast as the middle-class, middle-aged neighbours. Aileen in particular seemed very at home as the over-bearing social climber with her sharp retorts and facial expressions – mostly aimed at hen-pecked Gerry who only wanted a quiet life with time to play golf! Trevor Nicol and Amanda Luscombe-Smith were very good as Gerry’s boss Sir and his wife Felicity. Amanda’s portrayal at the end of Act One as Felicity got more and more intoxicated on Tom’s home brewed Pinot and cannabis laced cake (courtesy of Harry) had the audience in stitches. Strong support was given by master of all trades Tom Masterton (Harry the Pigman/Dr Joe/ Policeman) and Jay MacGregor (Margaret/Mary/Milkwoman). Allen Perrin’s set incorporating the kitchen of the Good’s house and the lounge of the Leadbetter’s perfectly reflected the period and how he managed to get everything on the small stage was nothing short of miraculous – as was Morag’s positioning of the cast on it! Well done everyone for delivering such a superb evening’s entertainment fully deserving of the gales of laughter and extended applause from the full house audience.

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