Uproar in The House

Foot tapping music, an open stage with more doors and entrances than I’ve seen anywhere! A most tastefully appointed set designed by Chairman Kate Gale and constructed by society members provided nooks, crannies, and doors to lose cast members only for them to appear again with regularity! A short staircase with a loose ‘orb’ which caused much laughter. Three framed white doors across the back of the upstairs landing as bedrooms – a bathroom door that stuck inconveniently complete with an electric light switch. Eight entrances in all – a challenge brought off exceedingly well. The front door had a letter box, yale lock and a wonderfully timed chime which required a swift kick to stop it.  Well furnished -  giving the show house a lived-in look, stayed in situ throughout the play. Two large strategically placed pot plants – perfect to hide a snooping photographer. 

The sharp, bright A5 programme and advertising was created by Beth Miller, Clive Moores and Naomi Berwick.

To secure a much-needed sale, builder Mr Lockwood, instructs his Sales Manager Nigel Pitt, who has just successfully been selected Tory parliamentary candidate, to pretend to be the current owner. This mammoth part was convincingly and energetically played by Al Richardson, in perhaps a Cleese manner. The early arrival of prospective buyers Sir Lindsay Cooper and Lady Cooper get the staff setting up the scene into disarray, fog sets in and the Coopers have to spend the night.  As conversation proceeds characters pop in and out and it appears everyone has something to hide. Lockwood employs Nigel’s pretend wife Melanie Sinclair, amusingly played by Jackie Manktelow, using splendid timing and facial expressions to cover some great faux pars from lack of background information.  Secretary, Monica Johnson,  takes on unexpected role of Swedish au pair with little English from Swiss Cottage! - as well as supposedly being married to David Prosser (actually engaged to Melanie), pompous Latin quoting attorney, beautifully played by Toby Champneys and as in all good farces becomes trouser less!  A nice cameo from Laura Gale as young assistant Yvonne who is hidden for long periods and then reappears and is very hungry.  As possible shifts to impossible,  proper turns into dubious we laugh out loud. Slightly outdated scenarios – when posh Lady Cooper played by Chairman Kate is discovered to be a professional co-respondent waiting for ‘The Photographer’ to take the necessary adulterous snap – beautifully executed by Nick Jeal, with some good tackle action. Slick timing to perfection Paul Desrosiers in a different accent to his norm was Cyril Alcock maintenance man, with a splendid spanner knack of stopping an airlock.  The pane of glass entry, breakage and return with more was hysterical.  Loved the flat cap and overalls and as for the foot in the pot across the stage  -  a perfect fit! Sir Lindsay performed by Trevor Pritchard upper crust divorce seeker but ‘definite’ buyer was most suitably plum.  The Greys were a surprise too -  naughty pair of MP’s with Andrew being wrongly assumed to be ‘The Photographer’ just because he had a  camera round his neck, convincingly played well  by Richard Pierce supported by May Audrey.  A further surprise, only to find a house full, was the late appearance of Bernard Lockwood  for a ‘champagne picnic’ with his bit on the side, a very elegant Isobel played by Beth Miller.  

These shenanigans were jigsawed together by Pippa Shepherd – ‘Uproar in the House’ being the first play she had ever performed in, loved and dearly wanted to direct.  With back up from the stage crew, Ray Hodges on sound and lights, the hardworking cast steered their way through with great speed, huge amounts of dialogue and business, appearing and disappearing on cue, giving much pleasure to the  receptive audience.

Jackie Manktelow and cast provided the costumes, all most in keeping. All-important Prompt Sheila Gault helped out on a couple of occasions.

 

 

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