Pass the Butler
Fri, 13 Aug 2010, 08:26 amGordon the Optom4 posts in thread
Pass the Butler
Fri, 13 Aug 2010, 08:26 am‘Pass the Butler’ was the first stage play written by Monty Python’s Eric Idle. This production, directed by Peter ‘Stinger’ Nettleton, is being performed Phoenix Theatre, Memorial Hall, at the corner of Carrington Street and Rockingham Road, HamiltonHill. The two-hour performances start at 8.00 pm. Shows run until Saturday 21st August.
It is the mid 1980s, and in an English Manor, Sir Robert Charles, the Minister of Defence, lies in the centre of the drawing room comatose in an iron lung. It is his birthday and so the butler, ‘Butler’ (Kenneth John Young) has bought him a tie.
With thoughts of the impending inheritance, his adult children, twins Hugo (Michael Lamont) and Annabelle (Trish Farrell) think it is time to switch off Sir Robert’s life support. However their younger brother – a practising Buddhist - Nigel (Shaun Griffin) and their old Nanny, Kitty (Sidsel Brannick) who struggles to get the correct English expressions, feel that he should have a little longer. Sir Robert’s wife, Lady Charles (Margaret Taylor) doesn’t seem too worried whether he lives or dies. Another MP, and best friend of the family, Ronnie (David Pragnell) is asked to the dastardly deed and to switch off the resuscitator.
As he is about to end Sir Robert’s life, a newspaper reporter, Harris (Stuart Riches) arrives and starts asking strange questions about the family – is he really who he says he is? Or will the police inspector in the eccentric suit, Slater (Tim Viljoen), get there in time to stop what is essentially a murder taking place?
On arrival at the theatre, the front of house staff were dressed as butlers, with even the main entrance door made to look like a waiter’s suit. A very smart butler (Adrian O’Neill) mingled with the sherry. There was a quality 20 side programme.
The theatre has had a very elegant proscenium arch built, which has made the whole atmosphere more professional. The set was ambitious, complete with impressive iron lung and fitted out with antique furniture. The lighting and sound were both good. Just a little word to the operators, the bio box has no windows so please don’t talk to each other during the performance – possibly the cause for your cue timing being a little off.
Despite this script being 30 years old, it is as fresh, zany and relevant at election time as ever.
The success of this type of comedy, filled with wacky reasoning, is to under-play the dialogue and deliver the risqué script pan-faced. The cast had slight first night nerves with the odd fluff and dry, but they all had what it takes for comedy and I am sure that their performances will flow well tonight. The whole play is a real hoot; abrasive yet stylish, with one of the most madcap conclusions of any comedy that I have seen.
Michael Lamont, Trish Farrell (a flash of beauty) and Sidsel Brannick were on top form with their delivery and timing. Not a farce, just a straight forward very funny comedy. The audience loved it.
Gordon the optom
‘Pass the Butler’ was the first stage play written by Monty Python’s Eric Idle. This production, directed by Peter ‘Stinger’ Nettleton, is being performed Phoenix Theatre, Memorial Hall, at the corner of Carrington Street and Rockingham Road, HamiltonHill. The two-hour performances start at 8.00 pm. Shows run until Saturday 21st August.
It is the mid 1980s, and in an English Manor, Sir Robert Charles, the Minister of Defence, lies in the centre of the drawing room comatose in an iron lung. It is his birthday and so the butler, ‘Butler’ (Kenneth John Young) has bought him a tie.
With thoughts of the impending inheritance, his adult children, twins Hugo (Michael Lamont) and Annabelle (Trish Farrell) think it is time to switch off Sir Robert’s life support. However their younger brother – a practising Buddhist - Nigel (Shaun Griffin) and their old Nanny, Kitty (Sidsel Brannick) who struggles to get the correct English expressions, feel that he should have a little longer. Sir Robert’s wife, Lady Charles (Margaret Taylor) doesn’t seem too worried whether he lives or dies. Another MP, and best friend of the family, Ronnie (David Pragnell) is asked to the dastardly deed and to switch off the resuscitator.
As he is about to end Sir Robert’s life, a newspaper reporter, Harris (Stuart Riches) arrives and starts asking strange questions about the family – is he really who he says he is? Or will the police inspector in the eccentric suit, Slater (Tim Viljoen), get there in time to stop what is essentially a murder taking place?
On arrival at the theatre, the front of house staff were dressed as butlers, with even the main entrance door made to look like a waiter’s suit. A very smart butler (Adrian O’Neill) mingled with the sherry. There was a quality 20 side programme.
The theatre has had a very elegant proscenium arch built, which has made the whole atmosphere more professional. The set was ambitious, complete with impressive iron lung and fitted out with antique furniture. The lighting and sound were both good. Just a little word to the operators, the bio box has no windows so please don’t talk to each other during the performance – possibly the cause for your cue timing being a little off.
Despite this script being 30 years old, it is as fresh, zany and relevant at election time as ever.
The success of this type of comedy, filled with wacky reasoning, is to under-play the dialogue and deliver the risqué script pan-faced. The cast had slight first night nerves with the odd fluff and dry, but they all had what it takes for comedy and I am sure that their performances will flow well tonight. The whole play is a real hoot; abrasive yet stylish, with one of the most madcap conclusions of any comedy that I have seen.
Michael Lamont, Trish Farrell (a flash of beauty) and Sidsel Brannick were on top form with their delivery and timing. Not a farce, just a straight forward very funny comedy. The audience loved it.
Gordon the optom
Pass the Butler
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