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Set-piece gags overcooked in classic kitchen farce

To acknowledge in the programme notes that it is a serious comedy recognises that this play is not a straightforward gagfest. To then state that ‘it carries no profound messages’ suggest any deeper dimensions have been overlooked.

Novice director Elspeth Holm clings rigidly to this more superficial analysis and delivers an interpretation that relies rather too heavily on set-piece gags: wiping down of wet trousers, unconventional underpants and flying peanuts all earning audience guffaws, although at the expense of the irony, tension and, yes, profundity, for which this piece so desperately clamours.

So characterisation becomes largely emasculated. Jonathan Fost’s Sidney Hopcroft is now a compelling comedic turn but loses his darker menace.

The third act brings something of a sea-change, James George as banker Ronald Brewster-Wright skilfully steering a course truer to the original conception of the play and providing real glimpses of the rocks that lie beneath.

Pleasing contributions, too, from Gemma Valler, Sally Evans and Wendy Fortune, although Sam Sampson doesn’t entirely convince.

James Kasper The News – Wednesday 9 February 2005