Reviews of The Ladykillers
Review published by NODA:
“The Ladykillers” Directed by Maggie Smith
Reviewed on Friday 11th May 2017 at Much Hadham Village Hall
Having reviewed two terrific shows by this Society in 2016 I was really looking forward to seeing their latest production.
The well thought out set, on an open stage, of a 1950’s living room in the London home of an elderly widow, appeared complete in every detail. The bedroom. intrinsic to the plot, was cleverly constructed on a platform at the back, stage left and through the window could be seen a ‘brick’ wall with a drain pipe, the relevance of which would be revealed as the plot unraveled.
Graham Lineham’s adaptation of one of the funniest of the Ealing Comedy films has a brilliant script. Mrs Wilberforce is living alone with a rather poorly parrot and likes to share her suspicions about the goings on in the neighbourhood with the local constabulary. Having followed up her leads in the past to no avail, they have come to the conclusion that she is eccentric and not to be taken seriously. So when she tries to tell them that the robbery of a Security van was plotted in her house by her lodger and his friends and that she has the money, it is assumed this is another of her fantasies.
Marge Ellis gave a lovely portrayal of the naïve widow Louisa Wilberforce, completely taken in by the implausible story told to her by her lodger, the rather sinister Professor Marcus. He had, he said, taken the room to enable his string quarter to rehearse. Jonathan Bayly was brilliant as Marcus although I did wonder if he might trip over that long scarf at any minute.
One by one the gangsters arrived at the house, each carrying an instrument case. Jem Deans as gentlemanly Major Courtney, Paul Haines as Harry Robinson, looking quite hilarious in his teddy boy get-up, complete with quiff. Will Jamieson as the rather dim witted One Round and Connor Hughes, as Louis Harvey, the vicious foreign gangster. All were well cast and gave great performances.
The realisation, following the robbery, that Mrs Wilberforce may have to be dispensed with and the subsequent killing by each other of most of the gang, their bodies going out of the bedroom window and onto goods trains leaving Kings Cross station, left us in no doubt that these were hardened criminals. But our heroine lives to tell the tale, which is of course assumed to be just another of her fantasies.
Roger Mortimer as Constable MacDonald was everyone’s idea of the friendly neighbourhood
Bobby and Annie Mortimer completed the main characters as Jane Tromleyton, excitedly arranging to bring her friends to see a private performance by these ‘musicians’ in Mrs Wilberforce’s parlour.
This really was comedy at its very best. All the other principals were well cast and gave good strong performances.
Congratulations to Director Maggie Smith and all involved in this excellent production.
Decia Ranger
NODA East
District 7
Review published in the Much Hadham Parish Newsletter:
The Ladykillers
Well! They certainly gave everyone a great evening’s entertainment with this one! Many of us will remember the iconic Ealing Comedies’ film back in the Fifties with huge affection. Who could forget the memorable performances from Katie Johnson, Alec Guinesss, Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom? Would our amateur thespians be able to pull this production off? Thanks to Maggie Smith’s wonderful direction, they did – and they had us laughing all evening.
Heading the cast was Jonathan Bayly who, as Professor Marcus, had the responsibility of holding everything together. He managed this brilliantly, never at a loss for words and never out of character for a moment. Marge Ellis as Mrs Louisa Wilberforce, was a wonderfully sweet old lady. She was an excellent foil to the gang of thugs who invaded her home to plan a robbery, under the guise of a string quartet. Jem Deans (Major Courtney), Paul Haimes (Harry Robinson), Connor Hughes (Louis Harvey) and Will Jamieson (One Round) were very good indeed, each carving out their character with aplomb. All had to play the instruments and all had a pretty good shot at it, especially Will, who did actually manage a tune from his ‘cello! (The Church Band awaits, gentlemen…) Roger Mortimer was a kindly police officer and, as for Mrs Wilberforce’s lady guests, they almost stole the show! What a brilliant little moment their twittering entry was!
The stage set was excellent and totally convincing; full marks on all scores. We are so lucky to have such an accomplished group in the village. They deserve our full support, and to tell the truth, when they give us an evening like this, supporting them is a real pleasure; they grow in stature each time I see them. The Ladykillers was up there with their best efforts and I for one look forward hugely to their next endeavour. This will be Great Expectations, which will take place in St Andrew’s with Holy Cross Church in November. If it is even half as good as their production of A Christmas Carol it will be something not to be missed.
Sandra McAdam