Over my dead body
Sun, 23 Sept 2012, 05:26 pmGordon the Optom1 post in thread
Over my dead body
Sun, 23 Sept 2012, 05:26 pm‘Over My Dead Body’ was the last of the thirty or so plays from Bradford born playwright, and frequent TV character actor, Derek Benfield. This comedy was first performed in 2000 and revised in 2005. Benfield started his stage career in 1948 with Brian Rix in Yorkshire. His last major TV part was as amateur detective, Hetty Wainthropp’s tolerant husband, Robert. Benfield died at the age of 82, nine years after the fourth series ended.
This true to life (or in this case death?) comedy, directed by Peter Kirkwood, can be seen at the Harbour Theatre, Port Cineaste Building, 70 Adelaide Street, Fremantle next to the Princess May Park, near Clancy’s, until Saturday the 6th October. Curtain up at 8.00 pm. with 2.00 pm matinees on Sundays 23rd and 30th September.
It is two weeks since the death of Helen and her tranquil widower, Gerald (Norm Heath) is actually looking forward to spending the rest of his days alone, in contemplation of his memories, in the home he has habited for 45 years.
Luckily, Gerald has a caring daughter, Shirley (Kirstie Francis) and an easygoing son-in-law, Mark Tyler (Drew Walton), who unfortunately have a strategy for his welfare, planned by Helen before her death. Poor Gerald is then faced with his overbearing sister-in-law, Amanda (Victoria Billingham), who also has his wellbeing at heart. When an old family friend, three times married, attractive Isobel (Carol Kennedy) arrives uninvited, jealousy starts.
Perhaps the dim Scouse house cleaner, Carol (Sherrilee Walsh) can get for Gerald the future that he secretly desires.
This is a funny comedy, rather than a farce, and the cast performed well; however, the delivery style of the acting was mainly in the ‘serious’ genre rather than ‘comedy / farce’, this made the pace much slower than one would like to see. It was the first night, and the actors are all most competent, but much more body movement e.g. when there are secrets being discussed, then huddle and gossip instead of standing upright and talking to each other. On occasions, a little panic and urgency in the movements would lead to more humour.
The guffaws from the older members of the audience showed that they obviously connected with the storyline.
Norm was excellent as the poor quiet widower who just wanted to be left alone. Some good performances that I am sure will be first-class at the next show.
The set, as always at the Harbour Theatre, was of the highest quality, congratulations to Brian Mahoney, Phil Redding, David Champion, Chris Lucani and Matt Cuccovia. Peter Kirkwood’s design was of a typical country house, with quality furnishings (props Shareen Ghani) that rightly matched the age and lifestyle of the owner. The French windows opened out onto a beautiful English garden backdrop of trees and lupins (Aileen Lewis). The décor’s finishing touches were by Katherine Cure and Celine Fournier.
The regular tech team of Rob Tagliaferri and Vanessa Gudgeon did another splendid job.
A simple story with some fun characters. Plenty of laughs, a fun night in pleasant surroundings.
‘Over My Dead Body’ was the last of the thirty or so plays from Bradford born playwright, and frequent TV character actor, Derek Benfield. This comedy was first performed in 2000 and revised in 2005. Benfield started his stage career in 1948 with Brian Rix in Yorkshire. His last major TV part was as amateur detective, Hetty Wainthropp’s tolerant husband, Robert. Benfield died at the age of 82, nine years after the fourth series ended.
This true to life (or in this case death?) comedy, directed by Peter Kirkwood, can be seen at the Harbour Theatre, Port Cineaste Building, 70 Adelaide Street, Fremantle next to the Princess May Park, near Clancy’s, until Saturday the 6th October. Curtain up at 8.00 pm. with 2.00 pm matinees on Sundays 23rd and 30th September.
It is two weeks since the death of Helen and her tranquil widower, Gerald (Norm Heath) is actually looking forward to spending the rest of his days alone, in contemplation of his memories, in the home he has habited for 45 years.
Luckily, Gerald has a caring daughter, Shirley (Kirstie Francis) and an easygoing son-in-law, Mark Tyler (Drew Walton), who unfortunately have a strategy for his welfare, planned by Helen before her death. Poor Gerald is then faced with his overbearing sister-in-law, Amanda (Victoria Billingham), who also has his wellbeing at heart. When an old family friend, three times married, attractive Isobel (Carol Kennedy) arrives uninvited, jealousy starts.
Perhaps the dim Scouse house cleaner, Carol (Sherrilee Walsh) can get for Gerald the future that he secretly desires.
This is a funny comedy, rather than a farce, and the cast performed well; however, the delivery style of the acting was mainly in the ‘serious’ genre rather than ‘comedy / farce’, this made the pace much slower than one would like to see. It was the first night, and the actors are all most competent, but much more body movement e.g. when there are secrets being discussed, then huddle and gossip instead of standing upright and talking to each other. On occasions, a little panic and urgency in the movements would lead to more humour.
The guffaws from the older members of the audience showed that they obviously connected with the storyline.
Norm was excellent as the poor quiet widower who just wanted to be left alone. Some good performances that I am sure will be first-class at the next show.
The set, as always at the Harbour Theatre, was of the highest quality, congratulations to Brian Mahoney, Phil Redding, David Champion, Chris Lucani and Matt Cuccovia. Peter Kirkwood’s design was of a typical country house, with quality furnishings (props Shareen Ghani) that rightly matched the age and lifestyle of the owner. The French windows opened out onto a beautiful English garden backdrop of trees and lupins (Aileen Lewis). The décor’s finishing touches were by Katherine Cure and Celine Fournier.
The regular tech team of Rob Tagliaferri and Vanessa Gudgeon did another splendid job.
A simple story with some fun characters. Plenty of laughs, a fun night in pleasant surroundings.