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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Christian Davies, left, as Godber and Richard Taylor as Fletcher Porridge The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster **** I have to say
I’m not a fan of turning classic comedies in to stage plays unless they
have the original cast. It feels to me like a tribute band playing
someone else’s songs. There are a lot of them about at the moment though
. . . Fawlty
Towers . . . Only Fools and Horses . . . ‘Allo ‘Allo
to name but a few, so maybe I’m in the minority. That aside, the set was an amazing recreation of
the inside of HMP Slade, where all the action takes place. Kudos to the
set designers at The Rose for going the extra mile and even putting
signage above the entrance of the theatre. If you’re an avid fan of the series, the script
and jokes are all very familiar which makes for a warm and comfortable
evening’s entertainment, like visiting an old friend.
If you’re new to Porridge humour (does such a
person exist?) you might find it all a little dated. Richard Taylor as Fletcher after a couple
stumbles with his lines (I put it down to first night nerves) soon
settled in and gave a remarkable impression of Ronnie Barker. And Christian Davies does a pretty good job of
mimicking Richard Beckinsale’s Lenny Godber. There’s some lovely moments with just the two of
them on the stage. recreating some of the chemistry between Fletcher’s
protective father figure and Godber’s naiive first timer, using the
right amount of humour and pathos. The prison guards Mr MacKay played by Stuart
Wishart and Mr Barrowclough played by Tony Newbould also do convincing
jobs of recreating the good cop, bad cop characters. Stuart Wishart in particular does an amazing job
as the stern but loveable Fulton MacKay. All the other characters are passable impressions
of the original cast. Including, the stand out character for me,
imprisoned gang boss Grouty. Not only did Robert Graham replicate Peter
Vaughan’s mannerisms but he looked like him too!
He also provided the biggest surprise of the
night by suddenly bursting into song. But you can’t have it all your own way, as George
Gallagher’s Lukewarm, although an amusing interpretation, physically,
couldn’t have been further from Christopher Biggins stout frame. The plot, as much as there is, centres around a
boxing match that Godber is taking part in, although as the play is a
mish-mash of four episodes the storyline isn’t that important. As you’d expect in an all male prison, the female
presence is small, but Bethany Grainger shone as Fletcher’s daughter
Ingrid. on visiting day, making the most of her few minutes on stage. As Constantin Stanislavski is quoted as saying
“There are no small acting parts, only small actors.” and Bethany was
certainly proof of that. Comedy is all about timing and this was a
beautifully paced romp through familar territory, and there were plenty
of laughs throughout. Fletcher is due for release on 21-06-25, Alan Birch 16-06-26 |
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