Reviews

“Pardon Me, Prime Minister” by Edward Taylor and John Graham is the first play of the year for Act 1 Theatre. This is not to be confused with the “Yes, Prime Minister” written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, but the confusion is understandable.

In the Act I play, the Prime Minister (played by Marcus Thomas) is arguing with his Chancellor (played by Mark Fell) about the preparation of a severely puritanical budget taxing nightclubs and all sorts of gambling, even bingo halls. Once this format is established, the playwrights throw themselves into complete farce with confusion reigning supreme. A beautiful young girl appears in the mix, gaining her entry to the Prime Minister’s study by allowing people to believe that she is a reporter who has an appointment. In a short time, she has disrobed and her beautiful dress is claimed by a bevy of beauties who follow, all of whom finish up without a dress of any kind. Such is the essence of British farce.

Marcus Thomas is a newcomer to the stage, having been happy in previous productions to work backstage. His performance is nervous and certainly slow at the beginning.
Mark Fell, on the other hand is a seasoned actor and tries his hardest in the first act to bring the pace up to what is expected for a farce. His broad Scottish accent, while being amazingly accurate is very difficult to understand. Kimberley Wood whose facial expressions and beautiful figure are a delight to behold is another relative newcomer who plays her part well. Clare Kenny Hughes plays the ditsy Prime Minister’s wife to perfection. She is soon joined by Meg Kiddle and Wendy Kemp who really get the pace cracking in the second half of the programme. Rose Kenny also sparks up the stage in her transition from drab mouse secretary to sex siren in the role of Miss Frobisher.

First night nerves are a problem for most amateur groups and if something goes wrong, as it did, it is a real test for the cast’s acting ability. On Opening Night there was a complete blackout. This cast didn’t let it faze them and when they could no longer stick to the script, their ad libs were utterly hilarious. This is a great Opening Show for Act I. I urge you to go along and see Director Terry Frawley’s hilarious show. It would be remiss of me not to mention the beautiful set. Terry and his team have used every inch of the stage to provide what looks and feels like the Prime Minister’s study and I’m pleased to say that with all the door slamming that goes on, it is also quite sturdy.

Ray Swenson.

Feb 4 – Feb 19, 2011
8pm

Adults    $18
Members & Children under 15      $10
Concessions     $15

For bookings, phone Michele on 3205 1897