It's a Huntingdon Life

Directed by Peter Easterbrook Produced by Maggie Boyle

Burton Taylor Theatre to 16th February 2002

It's a Huntingdon Life is a satirical dig at all sides of the vivisection argument. Quanitas, an animal rights organisation, decide to act on the "murderers" at Bedford Laboratories and in particular, renowned vivisectionist Dr Waylaid Gorst-Lovestock. Jeremy, a passionate animal rights campaigner, along with riot loving Tatton and some what impartial Alice hatch a plan to make the evil doctor mend his ways by kidnapping him in the hope that he will renounce his evil work. Ironically, the sinister doctors' lab monkeys elect to try to save the forlorn doctor. Sally the monkey, under the guidance of fellow lab monkey, Charlton sets off to rescue the scientist "who always remembers a monkey's name".
Bedford Laboratories is also home to two geeky scientists, Paul and Kevin who, oblivious to losing one of their leading team members, are more concerned with cloning George the monkey with the help of their mail ordered cloning machine.
This farcical production pokes fun, quite successfully in places, not just at the vivisection argument, but at the scientists who spend 12 million to advise on taking Lem sip and those who pay management consultants £30,000 to come up with names such as Quanitas (isn't that the Australian airline?) for an animals rights organisation.
It's a Huntingdon Life has several subplots crossing which makes the main plot difficult to engage with and the numerous characters difficult to sympathise with. Tatton (Daniel Harkin) stands out as a convincing riotous campaigner, who is not quite sure of what cause he is for, yet delivers his rebellious wrath with ease.

Sheelagh Doyle 12/02/02