Review by Fran Edwards
November 2010
Another polished Therry production with a set that has been designed to look good and work well. The projected back drop was impressive and convincing. Jude Hines has taken a deft directorial hand to this very funny, light comedy from the pens of Jack Sharkey and Mel Buttorff.
A big time producer gives a first time playwright a chance, which is a clever con to appeal to the public and the media, nothing unusual here! What is unusual is the number of clever lines, awkward situations and sight gags that can be fitted into one play. Even though this production did not use all of the gags or situations to their full potential, it was a fun production.
Peter Davies gives a good performance as Bronian Pendrick, the producer in need of a hit and works well with Chris Duncan who plays Andrew Kimmer, the hick writer flown to New York to 'work' on his script! Between them they create some very funny moments. Davies seemed to lose his accent occasionally but it did not detract, and Duncan captured the naivety of his character well.
Claire Schofield is all New York as the bitchy Frieda Nebcott, Pendrick's nemesis and Angela Maguire is sympathetic and warm as Kimmer's boss from the funeral parlour, who thinks he has skipped work because he is sick! Other fine support is provided by David Lockwood(Rory Madden) and Lisa Bishop(Annabel Holmes), with a strong comic performance from Joanna Patrick as the sought after actress Alison Blair.
The scenes are often completely stolen by Paul Briske playing the dumbest actor(Charles Carpenter). Briske's excellent timing and vacant expressions brought out the biggest laughs of the evening. He bumbles around the set seemly oblivious but actually spot on.
Some of the updated references did not really work, but who cares when you are laughing?
