Theatre: A Sidecar Named Despair........

Estranged brothers Dick & Julian never did really get on. Since the death of their father, they’ve been forced together, living in their old family home while they try and rebuild their lives and their dad's rusty old motorbike and sidecar.

Having been working in the States as an accountant, Julian has returned suddenly, and won't talk about his time there. He starts getting threatening messages, and it becomes clear that his business "associates" are not to be trifled with, and that his past is catching up with him, putting both their lives in jeopardy. It's "The Odd Couple" versus the Mob!

A black comedy with original music by Pat Whymark, featuring Julian Harries and Richard Mainwaring

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A typical crazy comedy in the style we are used to whenever Julian Harries is involved. Clever songs with the two women having good voices and the men as animated backing singers. And some of the script was of the laugh-out-loud quality.
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Theatre: One Man, Two Guvnors........

By Richard Bean
Based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carl Goldoni
with songs by Grant Olding

Set in the colourful underworld of Brighton in the swinging sixties. Richard Bean’s riotous farce mixes all the elements of classic comedy into a fizzing cocktail of fun. Mistaken identity, cross-dressing, physical knockabout, slapstick, mad gags and outrageous puns are shaken and stirred as Francis Henshall, cast out of his skiffle band, finds the best route to satisfy his considerable appetites for food, sex and money, to become One Man serving Two Guvnors.

This joyous updating of Goldoni’s classic Italian comedy from the 18th century, The Servant of Two Masters, has quickly established itself as one of the great British comedies of the 21st Century.

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This was absolutely hilarious. Brilliant casting, very talented musicianship and amazing set changes.

The lead character Francis Henshall, played by Philip Tomlin, was an enormous task and he gave it everything, lots of dialogue, perfect timing, exhausting physical comedy and plenty of interacting with the audience. I was amazed afterwards to read it was his first professional stage performance out of stage school!

I won't mention something great about each member of the cast, although I could, but I do have to give special credit to the character Alfie, played by Richard Leeming, who literally threw himself headfirst into his part....and down the stairs many times!

A great evening and perfect for the start to the autumn season.
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