REVIEWS REVIEWS
This is a play that investigates topics that worry people. It tries to do it in a funny way, but does it work? The them and us are hotel staff versus their patrons. Add a not too bright waiter and a more with it colleague and you get frustration. Topics covered are, “I didn’t want to go to war with Iraq” which lead to, “If Saddam was fort-five minutes away he must have been in Doncaster!”. That is the level of intellect reached throughout this new play by John Godber who directed. He cleverly used rhyming interludes punctuated by comments, but the story line remained weak.
Dicken Ashworth, as Ronnie the thinking one, is flat in his delivery of the text, and this is mirrored by his colleague Rob Angell as Keith, the non thinking one. The girls, Amy Thompson as Maria and Fiona Wass as Joy, the waitresses, are excellent with their quick changes that transform them in character, some of the best to be seen on any stage. All four actors reversed their roles to become their patrons also saying a lot about nothing in particular.
Entertaining, but it does not flow. The audience went home in their usual cheery way having been given another taste of their local playwright. © BA
“Black Tie and Tales” is in Hull from the 11th of December, 2003 to the 24th of January, 2004.
