Flowery Twats
Sat, 23 Feb 2002, 01:15 amWalter Plinge2 posts in thread
Flowery Twats
Sat, 23 Feb 2002, 01:15 amWHAT: Fawlty Towers
WHEN: Thursday 21st February 8pm
WHERE: Marloo Theatre, Greenmount, WA
WHO: Barbara "Cinnamon" Bain (Director), John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth
Or at least it certainly seemed like it.
Marloo Theatre's presentation of two of the episodes of the classic TV series, spared no effort in recreating the characters and set from Fawlty Towers. Bob Tomlinson (tall, gangly, mustachioed and balding) played Basil with manic energy (the sweat was pouring off him). Christine Lowenhoff did her most annoying vocal impersonation to deliver a great Sybil (almost toppling over beneath the weight of her hair). Nerida Watson doesn't look much like Connie Booth, but her accent and mannerisms were down pat as Polly. And the audience went berserk when Ray Egan's Manuel shuffled on stage. Everybody loves Manuel. A convincing job by all.
Director Barbara Bain obviously wanted everything to look as close to the TV series as possible, and succeeded admirably. I'm told that Marloo Theatre had to adhere to very strict guidelines in their presentation, or else incur the wrath of the great JC himself. I understand they were told which episodes they were allowed to stage, the first being "The Hotel Inspectors", followed by "The Gourmet Night".
Marloo has a nice, wide stage, enabling correct-to-the-last-detail reconstructions of the lobby and the dining room. The action flowed very nicely for the most part, although some of the extras appeared a little cramped on occasion.
It must have been hard work playing the guests, having to hold their own against the four leads. John Hillan did indeed manage to keep a straight face whilst playing the finnicky Mr Hutchinson. Young Joshua Armstrong was perfect as the snotty child - half the audience felt like getting up and smacking him one! Daniel Keel had an excellent twitch as the Colonel, and Richard Coleman was a study in natural acting - initially oblivious to, then perplexed by, Basil's rapidly escalating antics (a good turn too in Act 2 as Kurt the over-amorous chef). Great to see Buddy Clarke again: "Papers in yet, Fawlty?"
The fight scenes looked a little fake, but congratulations to Ray Egan for taking a barrage of convincing whacks, smacks and thumps. With everything else so spot-on, it was a pity Marloo couldn't get Basil's trademark Austin 1300 on stage. Instead, we saw him in a Volvo! Oh well, I suppose if any car deserves a damn good thrashing, it's a Volvo.
All in all, not groundbreaking, but a very enjoyable tribute and nostalgia trip. If nothing else, Marloo are to be congratulated for having a sell-out season, and for getting people in who have obviously NEVER been inside a theatre in their lives. (As a couple in front of me stared blankly at the row of seats, an usher patiently explained that the seat numbers ran in numerical order from one side of the row to the other.) Oh well, if first timers go away with a good impression, chances are they'll be back, and that's good for all of us.
JB
WHEN: Thursday 21st February 8pm
WHERE: Marloo Theatre, Greenmount, WA
WHO: Barbara "Cinnamon" Bain (Director), John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth
Or at least it certainly seemed like it.
Marloo Theatre's presentation of two of the episodes of the classic TV series, spared no effort in recreating the characters and set from Fawlty Towers. Bob Tomlinson (tall, gangly, mustachioed and balding) played Basil with manic energy (the sweat was pouring off him). Christine Lowenhoff did her most annoying vocal impersonation to deliver a great Sybil (almost toppling over beneath the weight of her hair). Nerida Watson doesn't look much like Connie Booth, but her accent and mannerisms were down pat as Polly. And the audience went berserk when Ray Egan's Manuel shuffled on stage. Everybody loves Manuel. A convincing job by all.
Director Barbara Bain obviously wanted everything to look as close to the TV series as possible, and succeeded admirably. I'm told that Marloo Theatre had to adhere to very strict guidelines in their presentation, or else incur the wrath of the great JC himself. I understand they were told which episodes they were allowed to stage, the first being "The Hotel Inspectors", followed by "The Gourmet Night".
Marloo has a nice, wide stage, enabling correct-to-the-last-detail reconstructions of the lobby and the dining room. The action flowed very nicely for the most part, although some of the extras appeared a little cramped on occasion.
It must have been hard work playing the guests, having to hold their own against the four leads. John Hillan did indeed manage to keep a straight face whilst playing the finnicky Mr Hutchinson. Young Joshua Armstrong was perfect as the snotty child - half the audience felt like getting up and smacking him one! Daniel Keel had an excellent twitch as the Colonel, and Richard Coleman was a study in natural acting - initially oblivious to, then perplexed by, Basil's rapidly escalating antics (a good turn too in Act 2 as Kurt the over-amorous chef). Great to see Buddy Clarke again: "Papers in yet, Fawlty?"
The fight scenes looked a little fake, but congratulations to Ray Egan for taking a barrage of convincing whacks, smacks and thumps. With everything else so spot-on, it was a pity Marloo couldn't get Basil's trademark Austin 1300 on stage. Instead, we saw him in a Volvo! Oh well, I suppose if any car deserves a damn good thrashing, it's a Volvo.
All in all, not groundbreaking, but a very enjoyable tribute and nostalgia trip. If nothing else, Marloo are to be congratulated for having a sell-out season, and for getting people in who have obviously NEVER been inside a theatre in their lives. (As a couple in front of me stared blankly at the row of seats, an usher patiently explained that the seat numbers ran in numerical order from one side of the row to the other.) Oh well, if first timers go away with a good impression, chances are they'll be back, and that's good for all of us.
JB
RE: Flowery Twats
Sun, 24 Feb 2002, 10:08 pmYes,
It did sound like a good production and I do adore Fawlty Towers.
I had myself all set to see that, but by the time I bothered to make a booking , I heard they were all booked out. Oh dear.....well you live and learn I must say...
The Review Master