MARTHA, JOSIE AND THE CHINESE ELVIS. To 25 March.

Salisbury

MARTHA, JOSIE AND THE CHINESE ELVIS
by Charlotte Jones

Salisbury Playhouse To 25 March 2006
Mons-Wed 7.30 p.m. Thur-Sats 8pm Mat Thu & Sat 2.30pm
Audio-described 23 March 2.30pm & 8pm
BSL Signed 22 March
Post-show talk 21 March
Runs 2hr 10min One Interval

TICKETS: 01722 320333
www.salisburyplayhouse.com
Review Mark Courtice: 8 March 2006

Odd gang at a birthday party have charm and attractiveness aplenty.
They have a soft spot for Charlotte Jones at Salisbury; her Airswimming was a hit at the studio last year at this time. And they are right. She creates terrific dialogue, her characters have interest and charm (even when, as they are here, they're an odd gang), and her situations are different and intriguing.

All these virtues are well in evidence here, and the company take best advantage with skilful performances of warmth and good humour.

Josie is a suburban prostitute who specialises in domination. It's her 40th birthday and she wants to give up the job. Her daughter Brenda Marie and client Lionel organise a party with the unwilling help of obsessive compulsive Martha, a religiously inclined cleaner. All Josie wants is to see her other daughter (who left home) again.

And the Chinese Elvis? Well, you can't have party without one, can you?

The plot outline may seem complicated, but it is fun. Written as a farce, with all the door opening and costume changing and monomanias that are entailed, the play also gives us genuine characters about whom we genuinely care.

The actors take the opportunities with skill and enthusiasm, especially Hayley Jayne Standing (who gives a performance of real respect and tenderness as the daughter with "meaning difficulties"). Marianne March and Robin Bowerman make middle aged love a realistic possibility, as well as being funny.

Chris Garner's production seems wary of the farce elements, with some climaxes being lost to uncertain timing within the production. The company, however are organised and tight with good timing between each other. Dinah England's set (looking like a house interior in a snow scene toy) works with economy and understanding of the Salisbury space. It is well partnered by Ceri James's excellent lighting.

Brenda-Marie: Hayley Jayne Standing
Martha: Marianne March
Josie: Catherine Russell
Lionel: Robin Bowerman
Timothy Wong: Yo Santhaveesuk
Louise: Rosalie Craig

Director: Chris Garner
Designer: Dinah England
Lighting: Ceri James
Sound/Musical Arrangements: Paul Dodgson

2006-03-20 01:56:10