LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE To 21 November.
Tour.
LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE: The Moonbather
by Roy Clarke.
Jordan Productions & The Playhouse Entertainment Group ( in association with Eastbourne Theatres) Tour to 21 November 2009.
Runs: 2hr 15min One interval.
Review: Jan Pick 21 September at Belgrade Theatre Coventry.
Familiarity breeds affection.
As soon as the well-known haunting strains of Last of the Summer Wine's theme tune drift over the auditorium, and the lights dim, it is clear that we are in for a trip down nostalgia lane. This is a gentle and funny, but predictable, play, written by Roy Clarke creator of the television hit, and, true to form, the bumbling heroes, Compo, Clegg and Foggy, entertain us with their wry observations and attempts to negotiate the complications of life in a small Yorkshire village.
John Pennington , Timothy Kightley and Harry Dickman as Foggy, Clegg and Compo are satisfyingly true to the originals, and the farcical storyline is amusing, without being hilarious. Ruth Madoc turns in a sterling performance as Welsh Meg, whose rather limp sister, Samantha, played by Gillian Axtell, is being courted by Foggy in an attempt to lure her away from his hated rival PC Gifford Bewmont, and the whole is hinged around the presence of a mystery 'flasher' and Bewmont’s inept attempts to catch him.
The set design by Julie Godfrey evokes a real feeling of a moonlit night in Holmfirth - dry stonewall and all - alternating with the interior of Clegg’s house.
Whilst it is difficult to see the justification for these well-loved characters to be transported into the medium of theatre - this play breaks no new ground and could as easily been made for the small screen - it does satisfy its designated audience’s expectations. While there is no real attempt to break out of the mould and make it a little more edgily theatrical, The Moonbather makes for an entertaining evening.
On the other hand, a night in watching the repeats on television might do as well.
Foggy Dewhurst: John Pennington.
Compo Simonite: Harry Dickman.
Norman Clegg: Timothy Kightley.
Samantha: Gillian Axtell.
Meg: Ruth Madoc.
Gifford Bewmont: Steven Pinder.
Wally Batty/Howard: Ian Marr.
Nora Batty: Estelle Collins.
Mr Pilbeam: Tony Adams.
Director: Chris Jordan.
Designer: Julie Godfrey.
Lighting: Douglas Morgan.
Sound: Clement Rawling.
Original Music: Robert Cousins.
Associate director: Ian Marr.
2009-09-25 01:08:31