Date

27th October 2017

Society

Marlborough Dramatic Club

Venue

Brentwood School Memorial Hall

Type of Production

Play

Director

Louise O'Connor

Report

Author: Tessa Davies

The play is a sequel to Boeing Boeing and I can understand why the society chose to do it following their successful production of the latter last year.  The script is not quite as strong and plays on the preconception that all French people are naturally adulterous.

The cast are all very strong actors and their timing was impeccable.  This is so important in a play like this as, if the audience are not following, it is easy to get confused.

Guy Harding reprised his role of Bernard with great style, excellent comedy timing and a good all-round performance.  Jacqueline Parry played his wife Jacqueline well, her lines were beautifully timed and delivered.  Roy Hobson played the perennial male friend Robert well, displaying a bewilderment and lack of ability to stand up to Bernard.  As we began to understand the relationships between the characters it was clear that the plot was going to become ever more convoluted and it did!

As we realised that there were going to be two more females, Suzanne and Suzette, both nicknamed Suzy, the possibilities became endless and the script took full advantage of it.  Vikky Luck gave a great performance as Suzette, supposedly the mistress but really the cook.  Phillipa Young, a welcome addition to the company, played Suzanne, supposedly the cook but really the mistress, again with a strong performance.   As the first act unfolded, it became ever more convoluted and it was very entertaining.

The addition of Suzette’s macho husband in the second half, brought more comedy into play as the plot proceeded.  If I have a criticism it is that the denouement was rather weak compared to the rest of the play, but this is not the company’s fault and Director Louise O’Connor produced a good strong finish.

The scenery, as always with Marlborough’s productions, was excellent, robust, good looking and well planned.  The costumes were fine, although I do think that Suzanne would have worn tights or stockings.  No self-respecting Parisienne woman would go bare legged!

It was nice to see a good-sized audience for this play, Marlborough have been struggling of late to get audiences in and, because their standards are so high, their plays deserve good audiences.  My thanks for the welcome that we always receive, it is so nice that someone comes and talks to us.