The Odd Couple- Female Version

The set looked great and was used well in the main. There were a couple of issues with chairs blocking the scenes around the table (sightlines in the scene where Florence is at the table eating) and although the programme states that the play is set in the present day some of the props were dated (telephone, particularly stood out). The scene changes were swift with no hold ups so well done to the stage manager and crew.

The lighting was very effective and the costumes suited each character well. The sound was good (effects etc) but some of the actresses needed to project more as it was difficult to hear at the back of the hall. Placing people who don’t know the dialogue during tech/dress rehearsal can fix this problem really quickly if not picked up before then.

The cast were great despite some age related inaccuracies where a couple of the cast were really too young to play the parts they had. Peter Clough and Paul Sloane as the Costazuela brothers were very funny, looking ridiculous and delivering lines with great comic timing.

Claire Nicholls as Mickey the cop was great with great diction, projection and accent.

Eileen Wilson and Jackie Eade played Renee and Sylvie respectively and both had great comic lines, delivered well and with a cynicism wit that suited their characters. Vicky Palin played Vera one of the younger members, with a nice ditzy style which was carried through to the costuming of this character.

The female leads were Sara Murphy who played Olive who did a good job in this role which she was really too young for. I liked her accent and demeanour as the slovenly Olive but some of the laughs were missed due to rushed lines. However her relationship with Florence was well constructed.

The fastidious, recently separated, looking for somewhere to live Florence was played brilliantly by Mary Doyle who had great comic timing, fabulous delivery and accent and every scene was executed perfectly. It wasn’t just delivery of lines which was presented to the audience but a complex characterisation which I totally believed in.

I know this is the first play at this society for a number of years but I really hope it won’t be the last as this was a thoroughly enjoyable production which gelled well. 

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