I went to see Funny Turns at the Grove Theatre, Eastbourne on the evening of Tuesday 7th November.
It was excellent.
Set in 1935 in a lodging house where ‘theatricals’ board, the plot concerned the struggles of comedian Norman Tate (played by Jeffrey Holland) to find work with impresario Harold Chance (Maurice Thorogood); when he does he is double-crossed by song-and-dance man Charlie Prince (Carl Lovejoy). A sub-plot concerned the parentage of Sally Chester (Georgia Bellet). It started out as a lighthearted semi-farce but after the interval it became a bittersweet comedy and the poignancy of these men and women striving, as we all do, to find meaning and fulfilment in a life mostly made up of mundane moments was perfectly portrayed.
Every member of the cast played well but, for me, the standout performances were from Jeffrey Holland, Maurice Thorogood, Kenn Oldfield as Arthur Merson, a pianist who desperately needs to perform and whose act harks back to the comedy song that was a popular hit for him thirty years ago, David Mansell as Victor Llewellyn, a stage magician, and David Hampshire as the proper actor Laurence Mason.
The acting was great but it all hangs upon the superb script which was written by David Hampshire and the direction of Maurice Thorogood.
I very much look forward to seeing the next production from this group, South Coast Theatre, which will be Who’s Gracie written by David Hampshire, a tribute to Gracie Fields.
It was excellent.
Set in 1935 in a lodging house where ‘theatricals’ board, the plot concerned the struggles of comedian Norman Tate (played by Jeffrey Holland) to find work with impresario Harold Chance (Maurice Thorogood); when he does he is double-crossed by song-and-dance man Charlie Prince (Carl Lovejoy). A sub-plot concerned the parentage of Sally Chester (Georgia Bellet). It started out as a lighthearted semi-farce but after the interval it became a bittersweet comedy and the poignancy of these men and women striving, as we all do, to find meaning and fulfilment in a life mostly made up of mundane moments was perfectly portrayed.
Every member of the cast played well but, for me, the standout performances were from Jeffrey Holland, Maurice Thorogood, Kenn Oldfield as Arthur Merson, a pianist who desperately needs to perform and whose act harks back to the comedy song that was a popular hit for him thirty years ago, David Mansell as Victor Llewellyn, a stage magician, and David Hampshire as the proper actor Laurence Mason.
The acting was great but it all hangs upon the superb script which was written by David Hampshire and the direction of Maurice Thorogood.
I very much look forward to seeing the next production from this group, South Coast Theatre, which will be Who’s Gracie written by David Hampshire, a tribute to Gracie Fields.
Another excellent night out at The Grove Theatre.
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