Presented by Galleon Theatre Company
Reviewed Thursday 21st October 2010
Venue: Domain Theatre, Marion Cultural Centre
Season: 8pm Thurs 21 to Sat 23, Thurs 28 to Sat 30, matinee 2pm Sat 30 October
Duration: 2hrs 30min incl interval
Tickets: adult $18/conc $14
Bookings: 8322 9132 (6.30-8.30pm, answering machine other times) or http://www.galleon.org.au
Robin Hawdon’s farce is filled with all of the things that farce lovers could wish for, false identities, people who are not what they first appear to be, people pretending to be other people, people hiding from others, confusion, mayhem and a huge bundle of laughs. Directed by Warren McKenzie, the pace is kept fast to take full advantage of all of the fun that this script offers, and he doesn’t miss an opportunity to tickle the ribs of the audience.
Mandy has overslept and realises that crime boss, Big Mack, is due at any moment to collect the money from a number of his businesses, each in an envelope that Mandy collects for him. The big problem, however, is that she is in bed with Gerry, whom she met the night before at Big Mack’s club, where she is a dancer. This is a problem, of course, because she is also Big Mack’s girlfriend. Tania, another of the dancers, arrives first and Mandy enlists her aid in a deception aimed at fooling Mack.
Big Mack arrives with his bodyguard, Dozer, nicknamed appropriately after a bulldozer; a man of few words and many muscles. Then the ineffectual lad, Terry, arrives with another package of money from one of Mack’s businesses, but it is ₤1,000 short. Terry owes that sum to Harry the Hammer, a loan shark employed by Mack. From here the plot twists and turns incessantly, lies compound lies, and deceptions build at every moment until the final double deus ex machina sorts everything out.
Olivia Eblen plays Mandy and gives us a lively characterisation that successfully conveys both the excited young woman in the first flush of love and the street smart lass with a devious mind. Eblen’s nicely played version of Mandy could charm the pants off of you and, in Gerry’s case, she does. Anthony Clapp takes the role of Gerry, giving us a rather care-free young man who, although he tries to avoid any direct confrontation, likes to stir the pot, reminding one of a young Arthur Daley. Sharon Pitardi plays the put-upon friend, Tania, reluctantly dragged into Mandy’s mess. She portrays all of the confusion, occasional panic and a certain amount of surprise as the situation develops, as you will see when you attend. Luke Budgen is the hapless Terry who, aside from all of his other dilemmas, falls for Tania, who finds him about as attractive as a case of dysentery. Budgen clearly has lots of fun with this role, getting all of the laughs he can find in every situation
Gary Harrison is the Napoleon of crime, Big Mack, smartly dressed and clearly in command thanks to Harrison’s strong stage presence and powerful characterisation. Stephen Small is ideal in the role of Dozer, looking as though he would be quite capable of flattening anybody, or anything that got in his way with one punch, and no qualms. Malcolm Walton also does well in the role of Harry, creating a nicely balanced comic character who apparently has little compunction about coming down heavily in his dealings with debtors and is highly Chauvinistic in his treatment of women. His attempt to woo a fair maiden is hilarious.
All, however, is not necessarily as it seems and there are quite a few surprises and revelations before the final curtain, along with loads of laughs. This production is full of energy and enthusiasm and is a good fun night at the theatre. If you book quickly enough to get seat at a table, you can take a basket supper and drinks to make it a complete evening. Even in the ‘bleachers’ drinks and nibbles, easily purchased at the bar/canteen, are permitted. If you need a good laugh you’ll find one here.
Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Arts Editor, Glam Adelaide.
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