The Ladykillers

The original Ealing comedy, “The Ladykillers”, starring Alec Guinness, remains a well-loved black and white film classic.  This version, adapted by Graham Linehan (of “Father Ted” fame), is perfect for an amateur company and the Priory Theatre assembled a cast of fine “character” actors to emphasise the genteel black humour, for which it is remembered.

A clever set, aided by appropriate sound effects, replicated an elderly house, in the 1950s, just a little too close to the railway lines at London’s Kings Cross.  The lighting and vibrating, as trains rattled by, helped build the genteel tension.  The set, designed and built by Robin Herron, Chris Young, Ray Lowry and John Leake, comprised sitting room, staircase and spare bedroom in elderly Mrs Wilberforce’s house, looking very realistic and sturdy with its mock Tudor beams. The contents of the house and costumes all clearly reflected the time period.

Sweet Mrs Wilberforce (played by Haley Moy) and creepy Professor Marcus (Ian Cairns) dominate the early scenes, making a fine and amusing double act.  The Professor’s gang of robbers, comprising Dave Cooper (as Major Courtney), Kris Roberts (Harry Robinson), Steve Smith (One Round) and Dave Cosgrove (Louis Harvey) had some very funny lines, which they delivered well, as they established their individual character defects which, together with basic lack of trust, soon made it clear they were bound for failure. 

They pretend to be a group of musicians, unfortunately unable to play their instruments, and the scene where they “perform” for Mrs Wilberforce and guests is an absolute hoot.  The ladies playing the guests had the unenviable task of only coming on close to the end, but made the most of their time on stage.  Bumbling Constable Macdonald (Chris Young) keeps turning up at inopportune moments but somehow never uncovers the plan.

All the gang looked quite at home in their “digs”, rented from Mrs Wilberforce, a lady with hidden depths.  Tramping up and down the stairs and climbing out of the window all looked very natural. There was much dialogue to deliver and there were one or two tentative moments but the onward momentum of the whole production gave the audience no time to dwell on these.  A very amusing, entertaining and nostalgic production.

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