By Peter Kemp
The 1812 Theatre
The History Boys.
The 1812 Theatre’s October production was Alan Bennett’s The History Boys.
A story of a mythical boys grammar school in the north of England where the headmaster wants it t be an up and coming school and the students are preparing for entrance exams to Cambridge and Oxford Universities.
A large cast of 12 students, three teachers and the Headmaster.
The director, Daxter Burke chose the intimate theatre The Bakery at 1812 to give the audience more feeling of the story.
The eight students gave stirling performances particularly as some had only done school plays. Their accents were good, their French was good and the acting great.
Hector, the old fashioned teacher who was not quite what he seemed was given an excellent portrayal by Peter Maver. Who handled the role with professionalism.
Irwin was the new teacher brought in by the Headmaster as a modern style teacher to bring a modern feel to the school. Well interpreted by Blake Singer who caught the character as envisaged by the author. A great performance.
The only lady teacher in the school was Mrs Lintott played by Marianne Collopy. Another superior performance with Collopy capturing the essence of such a character.
A great presentation by the 1812 Theatre keeping up their high standard of performance.
The show finishes Saturday October 29. Bookings: 9758 3964
The Basin Theatre
Gentlemen Incorporated.
The Basin theatre decided as the last two years have been too dramatic that this October, they would give their audiences some light relief.
Gentlemen Incorporated was the answer. A light-hearted comedy about Damien who runs a male escort business. When his old friend Marc turns up unexpectedly, Damien offers him a job. Little did they know that Marc’s mother is one of Damien’s clints and Marc’s girlfriend’s boss s another of Damien’s clients.
Gordon Boyd was Damien, a great chrematistic of such a role and added to his good portrayal his timing along with that of Laell Melita as mother with door to door entry timing was a delight and spot on.
As Marc’s mother Laell Melita gave a stirling performance, capturing the role as envisaged
Her son Marc was well played with gusto by James Ness. An energetic performance and his outlook on life as Marc was suddenly changed.
Marc’s girl friend Isabelle was played by Elise D’Amico. A good portrayal of the girl who thought she was deserted but NO Marc was back in her life.
Isabelle’s boss and customer of Damien, Marion, was played by Audrey-Maeve Barker. Another good interpretation of the character.
The stage was set in two parts, Damien’s home and office and on audience left was Marion’s office. A well set stage with the obligatory six doors as in every farce which were put to good use and as previously mentioned , goof timing in the use of same.
A great evening of fun with plenty of laughs from the audience who thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
The show finishes Saturday 16 October. Bookings 1300 7884 668.
