The stylised set was most impressive, which worked well, giving the feeling of a comfortable riverside apartment in a fashionable part of London.
The resident couple Julie (Tara Lacey-Rousou) and Justin (Jem Turner) worked well together and were very convincing. Julie in particular was very lively and had a good sense of timing. The play got off to a good pace, using the stage well as they prepared for the visitation of Julie’s parents and Justin’s mother to break the news that they were going to get married As the play developed, Paige (Michelle Mirams), who had slipped from the balcony of an upper apartment joined the action playing a very brazen, relaxed and confident lap dancer/gangster’s moll. Paige’s ‘minder’, Mickey (Dave Robinson) is an ex-boxer and in the employ of Paige’s boyfriend. He was meant to be rough and menacing, which, despite make-up of a missing tooth and designer stubble, was too gentle and kindly; not quite hard enough to be convincing. At times he seemed quite ill at ease standing, hovering over the errant Paige.
The plot is complicated by the arrival of Derek (Roger Riley) and Dee (Angela Myers) – Julie’s parents. These two were a very believable couple, with their braying laughs and slightly prudish outlook on life. There were some delightful awkward pauses whilst the plot unfolded. I was not sure about Dee’s accent, sometimes it was strong and solid, other times it reverted to Welsh. Nevertheless is did not detract from a very good performance.
The ensemble was completed by Arabella (Liz Riley) Justin’s mother, who's a little too fond of the tipple. She was deliciously ‘over the top’ and played the inebriate superbly. She brought out the humour at every turn and I have never seen such an accomplished drunken walk. Her gestures were expansive and good.
Paige’s dance could have been a little more intense to create maximum embarrassment for Justin. It was quite short, but very good. I felt that she was a little hampered by her blonde wig, particularly in the fight with Julie.
As the characters gradually disappeared to their various destinations, with not necessarily the persons intended, the play built up to a good climax with the (unseen) return of Paige’s boyfriend, violently hammering on the door, being answered by the unsuspecting Derek.
The costumes were good and contributed to an enjoyable and skilful production, which was appreciated by the nearly full house on the first night.
The resident couple Julie (Tara Lacey-Rousou) and Justin (Jem Turner) worked well together and were very convincing. Julie in particular was very lively and had a good sense of timing. The play got off to a good pace, using the stage well as they prepared for the visitation of Julie’s parents and Justin’s mother to break the news that they were going to get married As the play developed, Paige (Michelle Mirams), who had slipped from the balcony of an upper apartment joined the action playing a very brazen, relaxed and confident lap dancer/gangster’s moll. Paige’s ‘minder’, Mickey (Dave Robinson) is an ex-boxer and in the employ of Paige’s boyfriend. He was meant to be rough and menacing, which, despite make-up of a missing tooth and designer stubble, was too gentle and kindly; not quite hard enough to be convincing. At times he seemed quite ill at ease standing, hovering over the errant Paige.
The plot is complicated by the arrival of Derek (Roger Riley) and Dee (Angela Myers) – Julie’s parents. These two were a very believable couple, with their braying laughs and slightly prudish outlook on life. There were some delightful awkward pauses whilst the plot unfolded. I was not sure about Dee’s accent, sometimes it was strong and solid, other times it reverted to Welsh. Nevertheless is did not detract from a very good performance.
The ensemble was completed by Arabella (Liz Riley) Justin’s mother, who's a little too fond of the tipple. She was deliciously ‘over the top’ and played the inebriate superbly. She brought out the humour at every turn and I have never seen such an accomplished drunken walk. Her gestures were expansive and good.
Paige’s dance could have been a little more intense to create maximum embarrassment for Justin. It was quite short, but very good. I felt that she was a little hampered by her blonde wig, particularly in the fight with Julie.
As the characters gradually disappeared to their various destinations, with not necessarily the persons intended, the play built up to a good climax with the (unseen) return of Paige’s boyfriend, violently hammering on the door, being answered by the unsuspecting Derek.
The costumes were good and contributed to an enjoyable and skilful production, which was appreciated by the nearly full house on the first night.