The Ladykillers

The Ladykillers, A comedy by Ronald Harwood    

Audiences were served up a treat with this production of the renowned Ealing Comedy, and the strains of the opening music “This Ole House is Getting Shaky” certainly set the scene for the fun to come!  When little old lady Mrs Wilberforce decides to rent out the upstairs room in her house by the railway line at King’s Cross Station it is quickly snapped up by a band of musicians – or are they? Led by Professor Marcus it is soon revealed that they are actually planning a security van heist using the “band” rehearsals as their cover! The robbery is successful thanks to the unwitting involvement of Mrs Wilberforce and the local Police Constable, but then the “get-away” plans begin to fall apart as the miscreants are “bumped-off” one by one onto the railway line below! The characters and idiosyncrasies of this motley crew of reprobates were well established from the start. The “wide-boy”, pill-popping Harry worked off his nervous energy by polishing and dusting everything in sight, while Louis the menacing Romanian was suspicious of everything and everyone, his knife always ready to hand but with an acute fear of the dark!  The “nice but dim” ex-boxer One Round was played with an affable charm, quickly gaining the sympathy of the audience, forever saying the wrong thing and putting his foot in it!  A most convincing and unassuming performance came from Major Courtney as the dapper and charming con-man with a penchant for ladies’ dresses! Setting a pedantic tone to the proceedings from his first entrance all this was well orchestrated in sterling style by the pernickety gang mastermind, Professor Marcus. Hardly ever off stage he managed to astutely manipulate a scarf long enough to rival an early Dr Who without tripping over once! Mrs Wilberforce was simply a “tour de force” belying her real age,  she was stalwart to the end shuffling along in her brown brogues, clinging steadfastly to her principles and refusing to compromise  even for the money!

An entertaining cameo from the local “bobby” who actually only really wanted a quiet life – the moment when he slapped the trunk containing the loot with the line “there’s no money in it” was priceless – and together with a trio of elderly lady visitors added to the fun and enjoyment of the piece. Perhaps the scene with the news announcement needed a radio on set for Mrs Wilberforce to turn off as it did seem to just come from the ether, and after exiting on one occasion she did miraculously appear in a new outfit from the other side of the stage. Small points however in a production where the director did an admirable job with a challenging set, and especially with something that was originally written for performance in the round.

With a cleverly designed and dressed set that seem to shake with every passing train, great sound effects and lighting, together with well-chosen costumes and props this production certainly went full-steam ahead!

‘Tricia Barclay

NODA SW Representative District 6

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