Presented by Noarlunga Theatre Company
Reviewed 25 November 2016
Just as the title describes, this is a play about how prudish the traditional British can be when it comes to sex, which creates endless hilarious complications.
A young, newly married couple, Peter and Frances Hunter, have just settled into their new flat above the bank where Peter now works in the important position of assistant bank manager. When Frances innocently sends off an order for Scandinavian glassware for their new flat, the couple instead receive Scandinavian pornography in the form of photos, films, books and eventually real women!
This creates all sorts of havoc as the couple, along with Brian Runnicles (the chief cashier at the bank), find themselves desperately trying to hide the embarrassing Scandinavian pornography from more and more people, including Peter’s uptight and bossy mother, his strict boss, a visiting bank inspector and a nosy policeman.
Although starting off a bit slow and stilted, with the cast possibly having opening night nerves, No Sex Please – We’re British! really does come into its own. As the situation continues to grow more complicated, the audience is in stitches as they witness Peter, Frances and Brian’s hilariously desperate attempts to keep the un-wanted sexually explicit material under wraps.
Max Rayner, without a doubt, stole the show as the overly dramatic Brian Runnicles who finds himself unluckily dragged into the pornographic mess. You can tell Rayner is a born comedic performer as he completely embodies the camp bank teller, hamming up his character in a way that works brilliantly in contrast to the blandness of the Hunter couple. He had the audience in hysterics with his perfect comedic timing, and was also fantastic in turning minor on-stage mistakes into humorous jokes which is a rare skill to find in amateur theatre.
Both Andrew Smith and Rebekah King are believable as the frantic, newly-wed Hunter couple, but were sometimes overshadowed by the louder personalities of the characters around them. The interactions between King and the presence-commanding Bronwyn Calvett as Peter’s mother Eleanor are fuelled by a humorous disdain for each other’s characters.
Jessica McGaffin and Kirsty Lawson were fantastic as the loud, brash and overtly sexual prostitutes who invade the Hunters’ quaint apartment. Their interactions with the drugged and confused Mr Needham (the visiting bank inspector played brilliantly by Jeff Penter) are rife with hilarity.
Director Linda Lawson has done a fantastic job at keeping the show entertaining for the audience throughout the two hour running time and the constraint of a single setting. She has also skilfully managed busy scenes from becoming overwhelming (when nine characters are all partaking in one scene) by creating quick cuts between character’s entrances and exits.
Although faltering in minor areas, No Sex Please – We’re British! is a show that will have you in stitches at the plight of these poor, prudish British characters who are desperately trying to deal with an invasion of outrageous Scandinavian sexuality. If you’re looking for a laugh – this is the show for you!
Reviewed by Georgina Smerd
Twitter: @Georgie_xox
Venue: Port Noarlunga Arts Centre
Season: 25th November – 3rd December
Duration: 2 hours (20 minute intermission)
Tickets: $17 – $25
Bookings: Call 0421 002 802
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