Rumours - NODA Review Author: Decia Ranger
I doubt there are many theatre-goers who have never seen a Neil Simon play. Rumours however was his first venture into farce and like all good farces it really is delightfully ridiculous.
The setting is an upmarket residence where guests are due to start arriving for a 10th wedding anniversary party. The first couple to arrive find their host Charles in his bedroom with a gunshot wound which seems to have rendered him speechless. The staff are nowhere to be seen and Charles’ wife Vivian appears not to be in the house. A story is concocted for the other guests that she is upstairs getting ready for the party.
Much Hadham Drama Group has some very talented actors who were joined for this production by some equally talented new comers. Timing is everything in comedy, especially a farce and under the excellent direction of Mike Carver, the whole cast did a terrific job and never allowed the pace to slacken. The result was an absolutely riveting evening’s entertainment.
There were stand out performances from Lisa Turpcu as Christine and Jonathan Bayly as Ken, the first guests to arrive.
Amanda Woodrooffe and Peter Rosborough were brilliant as the bemused Claire and Leonard whose own journey to the party had not been without incident, resulting in Leonard suffering from whiplash. His fabricated summary of events in the second act is absolutely captivating.
Praise also to Connor Hughes and Corrina Graham-Hodson for excellent performances as Glenn and his long suffering wife Cassie.
Ernest and Cookie were very well played by Gerald Dale and Penny Wheadon. Mistaken for the hired help, they save the day by cooking the meal.
Paul Haines as PC Ben Conklin and Neil Clarke as PC Carl Casey completed the line-up with PC Conklin demonstrating a brilliant line in questioning.
Congratulations must go to the backstage team responsible for the wonderful set.
This was a really funny play, full of intrigue and subterfuge, performed by a group of people who really know their craft. We never did see Charles and as for Vivian’s whereabouts – well many a true word…!
Thank you for inviting me, I had a very enjoyable evening.