The Odd Couple - Female version
Fri, 24 June 2011, 08:28 amGordon the Optom4 posts in thread
The Odd Couple - Female version
Fri, 24 June 2011, 08:28 am‘The Odd Couple – Female version’ by playwright Neil Simon, started life as the tale of two men, but in1985 he revised and updated his well-loved play for a cast with female leads. This very funny play is being performed at the Garrick Theatre, 16 Meadow Street, Guildford. Performances are at 8.00 pm until the 9th July. Matinees 2.00 pm 26th June and 3rd July.
The curtains open to reveal the brightly painted, but untidy New York flat belonging to American sports fanatic, Olive (Irma McCullen). It is the evening of ‘the girls’ Trivial Pursuit night and as Vera (Lis Hoffman) reads out another question the phone rings. It is Olive’s ex, yet again asking for money to see him through the week. Two of the friends, Sylvie (Angela Nica-Sullen) and Renee (Michelle Dolden) place a bet as to how much Olive is going to be squeezed for this time.
Soon Olive is serving up the snacks; her hygiene deficit is again obvious by her lack of concern for the sell by dates.
The telephone rings again, it is Sidney, the husband of Florence (Vickie Billingham) another of their group, saying that he has kicked her out as he could take no more of her whining, persistent hypochondria, and the unceasing, fanatical desire for the ultimate in hygiene.
One of the group, the young police officer Mickey (Jessica Russell) is worried that Florence may be contemplating suicide and that Olive should take her in to keep an eye on her, which she does with pleasure. Then one of the friends thought it might be a good idea if the new neighbours, two handsome Spanish brothers, the Costazuelas (so like Borat and Manuel from Fawlty Towers) are asked up for a meal to brighten her life.
Could Manolo (Rodney van Groningen) and his brother Jesus (Michael Haynes) be the stabilising influence that is required?
The first Act was funny, with some very clever, well-delivered lines. Immediately after the interval the script takes a slight dip and the storyline becomes a little heavy, and then the brothers arrive! There follows one of the most wonderful pieces of dialogue you could wish to find. The whole audience were in an uproar as the brothers explain their life to Olive and Florence. Director, Rob Whitehead, has sensibly gone for understatement of the lines, which gave a very natural flow to the humour.
Although all of the cast were extremely strong, with good timing and natural rapport, a special mention must be given to Irma who changed seamlessly from the easy going fun loving slob to the berserk housemate; also to a most welcome newcomer to Perth, Vickie, who totally captured the neurotic, depressed obsessive Florence and to the two lads for their magnificent depiction of the Spaniards with poor English.
The kind of play that you would queue up to see again. Try and catch it.
‘The Odd Couple – Female version’ by playwright Neil Simon, started life as the tale of two men, but in1985 he revised and updated his well-loved play for a cast with female leads. This very funny play is being performed at the Garrick Theatre, 16 Meadow Street, Guildford. Performances are at 8.00 pm until the 9th July. Matinees 2.00 pm 26th June and 3rd July.
The curtains open to reveal the brightly painted, but untidy New York flat belonging to American sports fanatic, Olive (Irma McCullen). It is the evening of ‘the girls’ Trivial Pursuit night and as Vera (Lis Hoffman) reads out another question the phone rings. It is Olive’s ex, yet again asking for money to see him through the week. Two of the friends, Sylvie (Angela Nica-Sullen) and Renee (Michelle Dolden) place a bet as to how much Olive is going to be squeezed for this time.
Soon Olive is serving up the snacks; her hygiene deficit is again obvious by her lack of concern for the sell by dates.
The telephone rings again, it is Sidney, the husband of Florence (Vickie Billingham) another of their group, saying that he has kicked her out as he could take no more of her whining, persistent hypochondria, and the unceasing, fanatical desire for the ultimate in hygiene.
One of the group, the young police officer Mickey (Jessica Russell) is worried that Florence may be contemplating suicide and that Olive should take her in to keep an eye on her, which she does with pleasure. Then one of the friends thought it might be a good idea if the new neighbours, two handsome Spanish brothers, the Costazuelas (so like Borat and Manuel from Fawlty Towers) are asked up for a meal to brighten her life.
Could Manolo (Rodney van Groningen) and his brother Jesus (Michael Haynes) be the stabilising influence that is required?
The first Act was funny, with some very clever, well-delivered lines. Immediately after the interval the script takes a slight dip and the storyline becomes a little heavy, and then the brothers arrive! There follows one of the most wonderful pieces of dialogue you could wish to find. The whole audience were in an uproar as the brothers explain their life to Olive and Florence. Director, Rob Whitehead, has sensibly gone for understatement of the lines, which gave a very natural flow to the humour.
Although all of the cast were extremely strong, with good timing and natural rapport, a special mention must be given to Irma who changed seamlessly from the easy going fun loving slob to the berserk housemate; also to a most welcome newcomer to Perth, Vickie, who totally captured the neurotic, depressed obsessive Florence and to the two lads for their magnificent depiction of the Spaniards with poor English.
The kind of play that you would queue up to see again. Try and catch it.
Soon the GAY version then?
The Old Mill Theatre did
saw the sat night - great comedy