The Ladykillers

Having seen Torrington Players production of Female Transport a few years ago, I was expecting great things of this production – and I was not disappointed. The Plough is a lovely venue, and you are lucky to be able to perform to such appreciative audiences.

The script itself is very different to the original film, turning an old story into a modern farce. There were plenty of laughs, both at the script and at the characterisations which were given an old fashioned dose of physical comedy. The running gag where Mrs Wilberforce stands on the Professor's scarf continued to amuse and they were successful at making this appear accidental.

The opening of the show with the black and white film titles set the scene, giving us a clear indication of the location and the period of the play. Short extracts of black and white film to move the story along worked very well; I particularly liked the filmed roof sequences (in the absence of a revolve) as the gang members gradually came to a sticky end as act 2 progressed towards the conclusion of the play.

The characterisations of the various gang members were extremely well portrayed, and the physicality of the individuals full embraced by the actors to great success as the story moved along. The comic timing of the slightly absent minded act adopted by the Professor, with his Dr Who style scarf, was a joy. Together with the dysfunctional One Round, the word-mangling Italian, bumbling Colonel and OCD Harry, they produced some excellent ensemble work. Their pace throughout the show was good.

The introduction of Mrs Wilberforce’s lady friends prior to their introduction in the script was an interesting directorial decision. It can be difficult for a large number of ‘extras’ to appear in a very small section of any show. During the concert, acting as the ‘Loose Society of Elderly Women’ the ladies were very successful in their various enjoyment/dislike of the avant-garde music played by the ensemble. It was clear that One Round begins to believe he really can play his beloved cello.

The arrival of the PC put the cat amongst the pigeons, and the gang hiding in the under-stairs cupboard worked very well. And the parrot was excellent, keeping the audience giggling with his various antics!

The various comings and goings of the gang up the stairs, into the bedroom, the kitchen, into the street, and the tiny broom cupboard kept the action moving, and the audience engaged.

On initial viewing of the set and staging prior to the opening of the show, at which point I had a good opportunity to absorb the setting, I did feel that the set was very well dressed. However, it was perhaps a little too ‘clean’ for an old lady’s house which was suffering from what appeared to be significant subsidence. The pictures being tilted, and oddly angled curtain rail made it clear that the house did have structural problems; this would have been enhanced with ‘cracks’ and peeling wallpaper. The painting moving of its own accord, after being straightened, worked very well. The furniture and props were appropriate to the period.

The sound and lighting was good, although there was a dark spot far downstage which the Constable stood in – perhaps in error - at one point towards the end of the show.

I must congratulate the production of the video sequences; I felt this worked particularly well and a great deal of time and effort had clearly been put in to creating the feeling of a 1950s film. There are clearly some very talented students at Great Torrington School who helped in this area.

The costumes worked very well, and were appropriate to the period. The Professor’s slightly eccentric attire through to the Major’s ‘country gentleman’ appearance, to the Italian mobster styling of Louis, the tidy appearance of OCD druggie Harry and East End ex-boxer One-Round were well selected to mirror the characters. And the Loose Society of Elderly Women – lovely hats!

Overall, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and thank you so much for inviting us. The cast and crew should be very proud of producing a show to such a high standard, and I must congratulate everyone concerned.

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