There Goes The Bride

There Goes the Bride is a classic farce first produced in 1974. Ray Cooney collaborated with John Chapman to produce this play with all the standard elements of farce - assumed identities, confused characters, multiple exits and entrances all of which contribute to the unique twist – an imaginary character who is visible to only one character on stage.  There ensue many twists and turns between the eccentric father-in-law, the dragon of a mother-in-law and long-suffering wife together with an easily upset daughter.  They all conspire with the stressed advertising executive of a Father of the Bride who always seems to be shouting to be a recipe for disaster.  Will the wedding ever happen?

The cast of the play all gave strong performances and were part of a well-rehearsed team.  The development of the team and the chemistry created on stage is in large part due to the creativity and foresight of the director, Irene Airton.  The moves had been rehearsed with precision and the smoothness with which events unravelled made the play very realistic of the events.  The dexterity and stamina displayed by Timothy, the Father of the Bride, played by Bill Hansell, cannot go unmentioned however he was extremely well supported by the very talented cast.  The set withstood a great deal of door closing and opening without the cast crashing into each other.  This production started with a good script, developed a good cast of strong characters and was supported by a good artistic crew.  The cast had worked very hard to rise to the challenge of lines, physicality and timing …. And yes we the audience laughed a great deal too.  (Apologies to the director for altering her well-written words.)

A refreshing evening of well-crafted humour led to a great deal of laughter.

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