The Ladykillers

                             

I was warmly greeted on arrival by Chairman Charlotte Root and Director Ian Reed-Golden making his directorial debut for the society. I was able to discuss the production with Ian at the end of the performance. The play was based on the Ealing film comedy of 1955 and as such the set, furnishings and costumes correctly reflected this period.

Terry White and his team had once again designed and created a stunning set, this time dividing the stage into two rooms with the living room on the left and the bedroom supposedly above on the right. In reality, clever positioning of steps/stairs at stage centre created the impression of an upstairs bedroom. Furnishings were basic ie sofa and chairs downstairs and bed and large cupboard upstairs. Of course there had to be a picture which never hung straight! There was an interesting construction of a railway line and a house roof with chimney which were moved on stage at the appropriate time. There was also a functioning (almost !) front door. Well done to Terry and team for the creativity and imagination shown here.

Clever use of lighting changed scenes from down to up stairs. There were some excellent sound effects including the cockatoo (General Gordon), trains at the nearby rail station, music and radio announcements.

There were lots of funny and humorous situations which provoked laughter from the audience with all the characters well cast. Natalie Dwan was a near perfect Mrs Wilberforce, a rather demure, eccentric, dim witted and batty old lady who had a room in her house to rent out. Her action and expressions were marvellous especially when she worked out that she had been duped by a gang of professional criminals plotting a train robbery and that they planned to kill her ! The gang of five men posing as a ‘string quartet’ was led by Paul Moss, playing the bogus ‘Professor Marcus’ who was master minding the robbery. Rather arrogant and over bearing he endeavoured to kept his plan on course and the gang members in order, with varying results. This was a great role for Paul who was cast late due to some necessary recasting.

James Hooker was Major Courtney, a con man with a penchant for cross dressing. James was suitably effeminate and quite refined in manner. Charlie Vaughan played Louis a paranoid Romanian, bad tempered and rather unsavoury in his manner. Charlie maintained a good accent throughout. I couldn’t tell if it was Romanian or not but it convinced the audience ! Marcus Pierpoint was the hefty ex boxer nicknamed One-Round. He played the idiot unable to converse except in monosyllables. Oliver Walkey took the interesting role of Harry Robinson creating havoc and hilarity with the ever moving blackboard. He also started on an obsessive cleaning spree which was very funny to watch.

Keith Sippitt had a lovely role as Constable MacDonald, adopting a very patronising manner with Mrs Wilberforce and her befuddled thinking. Jo Thorne as Mrs Tromleyton ‘led’ a gaggle of noisy and silly old ladies visiting Mrs Wilbeforce for tea. Again lots of comedy here.

The funniest moments for me were the five gangsters hiding in the bedroom cupboard and the ‘string quartet’s attempts to play their instruments. Classic humour throughout.

Many congratulations to Director Ian Reed-Golden for bringing this play to stage and his creative and innovative interpretation of the script. Aided by Assistant Director Rachael Welham this was a brilliant performance and congratulations to everyone involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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