The Odd Couple (Female Version)

The Portable Theatre Company have triumphed again and delighted their audience with their production of the female version of Neil Simon’s timeless comedy The Odd Couple. From start to finish we were entertained by performers who had their witty “one liners” perfect with precise timing that made us both giggle and roar with laughter. The script validates the fact that in all relationships there are strengths and weaknesses and the boundaries and bonds of friendship are tested when two very different people find themselves sharing the same living space!

This comedy opens where Olive Maddison (Diane Maughan) and her girlfriends are in her New York apartment for an evening of “Trivial Pursuit”. When Florence (Tracy Bell) fails to show-up the girls act out a frenzy of concern as a telephone call from Florences’ husband indicates that she may be suicidal. When Florence eventually arrives at Olive's, she is distraught as she believes her husband wants a divorce after forty years of marriage. Florence eloquently and hilariously describes her husband as a guy who is 5’ 3”, wearing an oversize toupee and with a liking for cowboy boots. The image conjured in the minds of the audience brings a spontanious roar of laughter.

The character of Olive by way of contrast to Florence is a self-proclaimed layabout who thrives in her disorganised apartment whilst Florence cooks, cries and cleans in equal measure. So, I ask you to use your imagination because when Olive invites Florence to move in with her it’s a catastrophe, but for the audience a very funny catastrophe! Olive is initially played with seeming flawless ease, one laid-back and fun loving but rather lonely whilst Florence is prissy, orderly and irritating. They evolve into characters who become like a squabbling old married couple, getting on each other nerves – they were perfect!

Olive is determined that Florence’s routines (cooking, crying and cleaning) need to be broken so she asks her Spanish neighbours Manolo (Keith Shotton) and Jesus (Darren Taylor) for dinner. Florence burns the meal, a chicken as I recall, and clearly a disaster for one who prides herself on her culinary skills. The performers in this date scene brilliantly create for us an atmosphere of "awkwardness" that first meetings bring. The accents and dialogue between the two Spanish brothers is side-splitting. they had limitless facial expressions and played off each other perfectly, with most of their conversation being lost in translation! Keith Shotton has a gift for humour that is well recognised and Darren Taylor complimented this dual role flawlessly. Well done to you both. Your time on stage was short in duration but the impact you delivered was a delight to watch.

At this point in the play, assisted by her intake of alcohol, Florence decides to leave Olive's flat and move in with the two Spanish brothers. This leaves Olive to relax - or can she? With normality restored the “girls” come over for their usual game of Trivial Pursuit.The supporting roles of the four girl-friends were played to good effect, each bringing out the idiosyncrasies and individuality of their characters. Mickey (Susannah Clapcott), Rennee (Claire Barber),Vera (Antinia Hoskins-Brown) and Sylvie (Lynne Owens) are skillful performers and this strengthened the delivery of the key performers.    

This was a well-cast production thoughtfully directed by Lynne Lambert and Jan Turner. Their experience in Amateur Theatre shone through in this play. Supporting a Portable Theatre Company brings its own challenges and the backstage/production crew have achieved another great success. It was a most enjoyable evening of fun entertainment. The props, costumes and music were well chosen and the set was simple and in keeping with a portable theatre company who have mastered their craft. The pace of the dialogue was excellent from all on stage and was very warmly received by the audience - another great team effort from the Portable Theatre Company. Thank you for your invitation.  

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.