Up Pompeii

Up Pompeii is a show is based on a farce/carry on style of delivery of the TV series in the 70’s in which Frankie Howard played the central character Lurcio who deliver many double entendre lines and kept his fellow actors on their toes never knowing what adlib would come next. The play is scripted in such a way that personal asides can be adlibbed but at the same time not putting off the less experienced performer.

The set was well thought out with cutouts in the walls and occasional flower arrangements that did not hamper the set, making it too busy.

The costumes were much like the TV show- showing plenty of bare skin- and that was just the fellas! The footwear was in keeping as was the jewelry and hairstyles.

The props all worked well and obvious thought had gone into what was absolutely necessary so as not to hamper the performance.

Peter McIntyre was well suited to the part of Ludicrus, a good pace ensured that the script did not slow down and set the tone for the rest of the performance as a whole.  

Martin Gouldstone did a great job as Lurcio, engaging well with both the audience and other cast members. He did not try to mimic Frankie Howard and this was to his credit.

Jane Southey and Victoria Polydorou played Ammonia and Erotica respectively, the wife and daughter of Ludicrus. Both of them did well to deliver their performances whilst the audience relaxed into the double meanings and laughed along with them. Nice performances ladies.

Sarah Doyle-Smith and Lucy Winston delivered lovely performances whilst looking stunning and Sandra Mantella as Senna had the difficult job of warming up the audience with a rhyming monologue but used the catchphrase “ney, ney and thrice ney” to great effect.

Mark Skrebels and Chris White worked well together as the Captain and his sidekick and Andrew Read as Corneous partnered Lurcio perfectly, making a great double act.

To complete the cast Kevin Rayment played Nausius the young naive son of Ludicrus with a lovely air of ridiculousness.

The cast did well with a script, which is very much of its time and clearly was a vehicle in its day to promote the star Frankie Howard. Many members of the audience clearly were very fond of this show remembering some of the characters and laughing spontaneously.

Well done to all involved. I had a lovely evening and thank you for your hospitality.

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