Presented by: Tea Tree Players
Reviewed: 5 April, 2024
Brandon Thomas’ 1892 play Charley’s Aunt holds a cherished spot in this reviewer’s heart. It was the first non-musical stage play I ever saw in the late 1960s when I was about 8 or 9. It was at the Scott Theatre and starred Channel 7 personalities of the time. It was so memorable that I still, after all these years, remember where and when I first saw it. It also impressed me enough that I knew I had to become involved in acting.
The comedy is about two young gentlemen at Oxford University madly in love with two young ladies. But as Victorian manners dictate, they can only see ladies in their room if a female chaperone is present. How fortuitous then that one of the lads has a rich aunt from Brazil (“where the nuts come from”), whom he has never seen (that’s an important plot point) coming to visit. Problem – she has decided not to come! So, cue a good friend who happens to be involved in amateur dramatics. To say any more would ruin the fun and comedy that is still fresh all these years later. It is all very good, genteel fun of the period – no girls in skimpy underwear (except for French postcards); no innuendos (except English seaside postcards). It is very much a farce of manners or, if you will, Oscar Wilde on Opium (no steroids in those days). This version of Thomas’ play has been adapted by Paul Thain by taking the original three acts (they wrote them long in those days) and shortening it to two acts. It still works, taking none of the humour and fun away.
This sort of show is very much in Director Barry Hill’s wheel house and has his stamp all over it. This production is classy, stylish, mannered and very, very, very funny. Hill’s attention to detail is impeccable and his eye for creating the right period atmosphere is spot on: from the gentleman’s manners (although if a lady accidentally drops her parasol, Sir Chesney, pick it up! Don’t let the lady do it!), the period costumes (more about them in a moment), through to having extremely appropriate opening music to both acts – The Eton Boating Song! He has also made sure that enunciation from all is top-hole. He even has time to make sure that his cast (and the audience) have fun with the sound effects.
On costumes, Jo Allenby and The Monday Club (with assistance from Hill) have surpassed themselves, especially when it comes to the ladies’ dresses. The fans are even co-ordinated to match each ensemble – even the aforementioned parasol is made from the same patterned material as its owner’s dress. Let’s also not forget the hats – wonderful!
Kyle McCarthy as the basic plot instigator, Jack Chesney, is smoothly manipulative whilst being suitably charming. Whilst Callum Logan is a delight to watch as Charley Wykeham. Logan plays him marvellously shy and wonderfully awkward in the company of women, and gloriously gawky all together.
As the titular (pretend) Charley’s Aunt, Kieran Drost is hilarious as Lord Fancourt Babberly and manipulates his voice ideally to suit both his onstage personas. Whilst being a class act, this reviewer thought he could have been a little more awkward initially when first playing the aunt (e.g. when sitting with the ladies, he could sit in the classic male pose – with legs wide open). But overall, his ‘drag’ act is worth the price of admission alone.
Natasha Woods and Veronika Wlodarczyk as the intended paramours Kitty Verdun and Amy Spettigue respectively give nicely tuned performances and light up the stage with their presence as do Kate Reardon as the real Charley’s Aunt, Donna-Lucia D’Alvadorez, and Georgia Gustard as her ward, Ela Delahay (another crucial plot point).
Reminding one of Sir John Mills, Tom Moore is suitably the ex-Army Victorian gentleman, Sir Francis Chesney; with Neil Feakin being a somewhat shaky but stern uncle and guardian, Stephen Spettigue. He could do with being a little more bombastic upon his entrance but his amorous scenes are comic gold. Justin Stone as Brassett the Butler could easily make a living out of butlering, with his wonderfully stone face except for his very clear expression of what he really thinks every time he exits – great stuff.
Charley’s Aunt is a timeless classic and very great fun which the Players have done proud. Well done yet again, Tea Tree Players!!
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Photo credit: supplied
Venue: Tea Tree Players Theatre
Season: Until 13 April 2024
Duration: Approx 2 hrs (with a 20 min interval)
Tickets: $19 – $22
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1142824?&track=website
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