Haunted Thru Lounge at Acorn

This is the smallest regularly performing theatre in the world,
has a tremendous charm and is a very challenging space for an actor to work.
You are so close to the audience that they can smell you, feel your breath and be one with you in character. Which is why it is so brave to attempt a Farndale Farce in such a space.

To play Farndale farces effectively one has to be an excellent actor able to play the coarsest of coarse actors convincingly or so appallingly bad as an actor that all the mayhem around you appears as normal. If you don't know the Farndale Ladies Dramatic Society series, you should read them to discover the authors premise that every show the ladies do is just well, bad. Riddled with mistakes, missed cues and dropping in and out of character complete with offstage dramas, breastfeeding infants and small dogs.

To pull off such a show in such a small space was tribute to the inventiveness of first time director Be Farbey. The cast all managed to confuse the audience with their assumed and "real" characters so well that uncontrollable giggling in the second row soon turned into continuous laughter in every seat by the interval. The poem interlude reduced one poor chap to tears of hilarity, which had the ripple effect that all comedy requires.

To single out any cast member of this ensemble would be unfair. I have no idea whether they were very good at being bad or...well, I laughed, giggled snorted and guffawed throughout the second act.

This is entertainment, seriously and unwittingly funny. I recommend at least one dose of this before xmas for all theatregoers and those who need a giggle. I am sure if Little Johnny Howard saw this show he wouldnt be taking himself or anything that seriously thereafter.

This is the first production in two years at Acorn that I have had nothing at all to do with, and barely know half the cast members. Well done guys. I am confused, happy and still have no idea whether half the gags were planned or ...oh whatever. FUNNEEEE 4 stars!