One door closes and another one opens. In 1892 Georges Feydeau saw the relevance of this statement and concocted a farcical play based on doors, trousers and sex, he called the play “The Game Hunter” and it was an immediate success. Even today you cannot write a better play that has marital fidelity as its core plot. Here we have a husband who goes hunting as a cover for his extramarital escapades and comes back with partridges and pheasants, the trouble is that the birds do not fly together. So we have the “farce” where comic intervals are stuffed between serious passages of a play.

Orange Tree Theatre have worked with the Stephen Joseph to bring this French farce to Scarborough for the delight of all who wish to come and watch. Leontine played by Amanda Royle has the part of the wife whose husband Duchotel played by Philip York has away days hunting. Throw into this the doctor friend Moricet played by Stuart Fox who has an attraction for the wife and a not too with it friend Cassagne played by Robert Benfield and you have a nice mix. All the actors work towards the ultimate in their parts as Gontran, the nephew (Jake Thornton), Babet, the maid and The Countess of Northern Latour (Janet Spencer-Turner), Bridois, the police inspector (Brian Miller) and the policeman (Andrew Cooke).

Sam Walters gives direction and Christine Wall gives attention to the costumes. What comes into question is whether a play with four doors, that are so prominent, can be vanquished and replaced by sound effects as The Theatre in the Round affords. You will have to make your own mind up. The base aprons of the property moving staff brought applause for a different approach to an age old problem.

Highlights of the evening were Stuart Fox’s flirtations with lady members of the audience if they dared to question his motives or showed any interest in a possible affair with him. An amusing piece of acting and appreciated by all present. As you can see from the former all enjoyed their evening at the theatre and showed this with their applause when the actors took their bows. Great fun. Go and see this production. © BA

“The Game Hunter” is in repertory at the Round in Scarborough from the 29th of May until the 12th of July, 2003.