THE LADYKILLERS

A visit to the beautiful town of Alnwick is always a delight. But to visit the superb Playhouse to see this talented Group is even more delightful.

THE LADYKILLERS was one of the greatest of the Ealing Comedies and the film, made in 1955, had a stellar cast including Alec Guinness, Herbert Lom and Peter Sellars. Graham Linehan’s play follows the original screenplay by William Rose, with a surprise addition, which, in Chairman Peter Biggers’ words is ‘absolutely hilarious’.

ATC’s auditions for this play were originally held in March 2020, but we all know what happened next… It is a testament to the Group’s determination and dedication to see it materialise on stage this week. Well done!.

The action of the play spans a week in the autumn and takes place in the house of Mrs Wilberforce, an aged lady, beautifully portrayed by Shiela Graham, who has rooms to let. The house is located in North London and stands above the portal to the Copenhagen Tunnels running into Kings Cross. She is visited by Professor Marcus – a tour-de-force from Mark Stenton (who cannot play any part badly!) in order to rent one of her rooms, but not for the purpose he describes!.

Marcus’s ‘string quartet’; Major Courtney – Stuart Archer, Harry Robinson – Nick Biggers, ‘One Round’ – Matthew Winter and Louis Harvey – Matt Bush, all very ably characterised, arrive one by one and the Professor’s plans to steal £200,000 unravel alarmingly as the week progresses. They are superbly supported by Adam Bell as Constable MacDonald, Jean Goodfellow as Mrs Tromleyton and the rest of the Teaparty Ladies – Christine Allcorn, Karina Biggers, Mary Frater, Helen Gee-Graham, and Hilary Waugh… not forgetting the very distinctive voice of the Parrot - General Gordon – by Cath Hughes!.

This ‘darker than most’ comedy farce is a very wordy play, causing the audience to listen very carefully, and, in the main, the story and comedy came over very well. However, it must be said that some of the diction was not as clear as it could have been. Nonetheless, the cast have to be congratulated for their performances, the strength of which was not in any individual, but rather in the team unit itself.

A very impressive multi-level and beautifully dressed set and props, combined with excellent lighting and sound, lovely costumes and use of extremely apt music made our visit a superbly entertaining one. Congratulations to the whole team and to co-directors Glenda Fricke and Peter Biggers. You should all be very proud of your work.

We look forward to DICK WHITTINGTON in January 2023.

Thank you from Pauleen and myself for the invitation and hospitality.

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