REVIEWS REVIEWS
The first thing that impresses you about this play is the programme. When you walk into the theatre, looking round, no photographs of the cast displayed, but the programme says it all and sets the mood. The programme takes you back in time to when play bills told you all you needed to know, usually just a list of those involved, but it gets you in the mood for what you are about to experience. You have arrived at the Stephen Joseph theatre for a performance of “Only When I Laugh”, travelling to the Arcola theatre, London next week.
“Only when I Laugh” is at the Round in Scarborough from the 6 April to the 11th April, 2009. Box Office Telephone: 01723 370541 and then Arcola theatre, London from the 14th April to the 2nd May, 2009.
The play is about a theatre manager trying to come to terms with all around him, in particular his star comedian who thinks he is a gift to the theatre, achieved by alcohol. This theatre manager uses his brain and solves the problems with his skill and tact and does not believe all he is told.
The play, written by Jack Shepherd, shows a wealth of experience of the theatre and what is involved for all concerned, to keep everyone happy whilst keeping tradional petty squabbling under wraps. His grasp of what the actors experience and encounter is matched with how he knows a theatre manager should behave to keep everyone travelling towards success, otherwise the theatre suffers. This manager is given a hard task with Reg Henson, the comedian, superbly played by Jim Bywater, who disrupts the entire outfit, but in so doing brings them all together with the help of the theatre manager Stanley Hinchcliffe, played with quiet skill by Jack Shepherd, showing subtle feeling and insight.
We have the aspiring comedian Sam Bolton (Neil Sheppeck) hounded by his wife Hilda (Loraine Metcalfe) and makes play for the chorus girl Rita Atkinson (Stephanie Thomas). New radio pop star Janey Shore (Nicole Schneider), sent by head office to top the bill, joins Freddie Osgood (John Giles) the balloon artist and Tom Foley (Nick Earnshaw) all becoming involved in the fall out from the goings on.
All this is put into place by director Nicky Henson who puts all his experience into making the audience’s visit to the theatre a memorable experience . He is aided by costume and set designer Annette Sumption and first rate photographs by Nobby Clarke.
You will feel that you have just travelled back in time to experience the Leeds City of Varieties in its hey day, and been part of everyday troubles back stage, which have been dealt with by a very unassuming accomplished theatre manager. The play has been so well handled from every angle that the time will have passed before you know it and you are on your way home feeling well satisfied, having heard every word and understood all that has been presented to you. © BA
Is there an Air Conditioning certificate prominently displayed in your theatre foyer stating the date of manufacture of the appliance and when the system was last inspected and serviced — if not, complain to the theatre management.
