There goes the Bride

The ingredients of a good farce is slick timing and actors who can deliver good lines with speed, I have to say this production had both these ingredients.

I had not seen this play before tonight and am very pleased I got the chance; it is a very funny piece but as I have said does need some excellent players to carry it off.

The part of the father of the bride, Timothy Westerby, is an integral part in this requiring someone who is able to perform in three very different styles during the evening, this was no problem to Neil Mather who was able to carry it off with style, I especially liked the third of his characters who was a sort Bertie Wooster character.

The bride’s grandmother is also a good part played by Julie Webb who came over very much the Mrs. Bucket or should that be Mrs. Bouquet, I have to say Julie looked quite at home in this part especially in the last line of the play which was delivered with great gusto!

Julie’s stage husband was played by Colin Briggs who was the ever forgetful Dr. Drimmond, Colin’s timing was perfect throughout and I have to say I think one or two hearts might have skipped a beat when he was skipping about the stage imitating his “son-in-law”.

Good performances were also given by Fiona Connell as Judy Westerby, the bride’s mother was  Sue Briggs who became more and more frustrated with her husband as the plot unfolded, Frank Bardsley as Bill Shorter, the business partner of the bride’s father who gets more and more embroiled. Rebecca Coupe was really good as Polly Perkins who was a figment of Timothy Westerby’s imagination making it quite difficult for all the others on stage who are not able to see her. The father of the groom, Charles Babcock, was played by Michael Dodsworth who I have to say had an almost perfect Australian accent.

An excellently done and a very well received performance from all.

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