Take three very talented actors, mix with a John Godber script, add the atmosphere of the Hull Truck theatre and what have you got? a superb evening of theatre. This time the audience is confronted by three coach drivers who spend their days driving pensioners on continental holidays. Doesn't sound much; what Godber does is let you see what the drivers think of their charges and how they get on with their fellow drivers. The time speeds by as the cameos are unfolded to their appreciative audience. No set is needed only suitcases, hats and scarves. What the actors do with these props is astounding. Laughter fills the theatre as the audience nudges each other as they recognise situations that they have seen or been part of. This is what John Godber is all about, minutely observed situations from everyday life. Just one small blemish with the direction that can easily be righted — more time needs to be spent in placing the actors on stage so that they can be viewed from any position by the audience — offline using all the stage would solve viewing from the sides of Hull Truck Theatre.

Larry, played by Dicken Ashworth, is the driver nearing retirement, something he really does not want to do. Stick, played by Robert Angell, is the one in the middle with the dry humour looking for that bit of advancement to his career. Then we have Frank played by Sarah Parks, the woman in a so called mans world, who holds her own without any trouble as she slides her way through the situations that evolve. What these three characters do with taking off their passengers is nothing short of genius. The passengers get nick names like the Beverley Sisters, the Marks brothers and arsenic and old lace. Work out for yourselves what they do with these passengers, and be careful how you act the next time you go on a continental coach tour. Of course you will not work out what they come up with. The only way to find out the truth is to book as soon as you see this play visiting your area. It’s probably too good for a London run, but, like being unable to guess what the drivers get up to, you can never tell.

Brilliant writing and acting make this one of the best comedies to hit the stage this year. Do not miss it on its national tour or you will have to wait until it goes to London. The audience went mad as they applauded the cast taking their bows at the end. © BA

“Men of the World” is in Hull from the 28th of October to the 9th of November, 2002 before commencing a nationwide tour.