The Ladykillers

Having reviewed two terrific shows by this Society in 2016 I was really looking forward to seeing their latest production.

The well thought out set, on an open stage, of a 1950’s living room in the London home of an elderly widow, appeared complete in every detail. The bedroom. intrinsic to the plot, was cleverly constructed on a platform at the back, stage left and through the window could be seen a ‘brick’ wall with a drain pipe, the relevance of which would be revealed as the plot unraveled.

Graham Lineham’s adaptation of one of the funniest of the Ealing Comedy films has a brilliant script.  Mrs Wilberforce is living alone with a rather poorly parrot and likes to share her suspicions about the goings on in the neighbourhood with the local constabulary.  Having followed up her leads in the past to no avail, they have come to the conclusion that she is eccentric and not to be taken seriously.  So when she tries to tell them that the robbery of a Security van was plotted in her house by her lodger and his friends and that she has the money, it is assumed this is another of her fantasies.

Marge Ellis gave a lovely portrayal of the naïve widow Louisa Wilberforce, completely taken in by the implausible story told to her by her lodger, the rather sinister Professor Marcus.  He had, he said, taken the room to enable his string quarter to rehearse.  Jonathan Bayly was brilliant as Marcus although I did wonder if he might trip over that long scarf at any minute.

One by one the gangsters arrived at the house, each carrying an instrument case.  Jem Deans as gentlemanly Major Courtney, Paul Haines as Harry Robinson, looking quite hilarious in his teddy boy get-up, complete with quiff. Will Jamieson as the rather dim witted One Round and Connor Hughes, as Louis Harvey, the vicious foreign gangster.  All were well cast and gave great performances. 

The realisation, following the robbery, that Mrs Wilberforce may have to be dispensed with and the subsequent killing by each other of most of the gang, their bodies going out of the bedroom window and onto goods trains leaving Kings Cross station, left us in no doubt that these were hardened criminals.  But our heroine lives to tell the tale, which is of course assumed to be just another of her fantasies.

Roger Mortimer as Constable MacDonald was everyone’s idea of the friendly neighbourhood

Bobby and Annie Mortimer completed the main characters as Jane Tromleyton, excitedly arranging to bring her friends to see a private performance by these ‘musicians’ in Mrs Wilberforce’s parlour.

This really was comedy at its very best.  All the other principals were well cast and gave good strong performances.

Congratulations to Director Maggie Smith and all involved in this excellent production. 

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