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| | | From Rushmere With Love review – the name's Boond, James Boond | | by Anya Ryan Dec 13, 2021 | | Sir John Mills theatre, Ipswich
There’s a lot of heart and plenty of hammy humour in this uneven double-O spoof from Eastern Angles A Christmas show about James Bond? Well, not quite. In Eastern Angles theatre company’s production, MI5 and MI6 have merged to save money for the new Downing Street meeting room. This means 007 is unaffordable, so we’re left with the not so charming knock-off, James Boond (Herb Cuanalo). With a mission to investigate the disappearance of a nuclear scientist and amateur birdwatcher, Professor Padraig O’Plenty, our hero’s journey is more chaotic than stylishly smooth. Behind a silver curtain on the stage that forms part of Emily Bestow’s factory-looking playground set, complete with spray-painted silver ladders and fireman’s pole, the actors hurriedly change costumes to switch character. Despite some wholehearted performances – particularly from Lottie Davies as the larger-than-life turkey rearer, Matthew Bernarde – much of the humour feels hammy and barely gets an audience snigger. “Why are we laughing,” the evil accomplice Major Ovaranova asks international woman of mystery, Edie Effe. “Well, someone has to,” she replies – and we can’t help but agree. From Rushmere With Love is at Sir John Mills theatre, Ipswich, and also live-streamed until 8 January. Continue reading... | | | | | Three Short Comedies review – Seán O'Casey's rebels kick up a farce | | by Helen Meany Dec 13, 2021 | | Pavilion, Dublin
Druid theatre’s cast go all out for the ridiculous in this rarely performed triple bill, delivered with music hall flair Druid theatre company’s triple bill by Seán O’Casey comes with music hall flourishes and a light touch. Rarely performed, these one-act comedies show a very different side to the O’Casey whose major dramas from the 1920s tackled the political conflicts and tragedies of his times. With the endlessly inventive cast going all out for the ridiculous, Garry Hynes’ production delivers farce with hints of satire. While an anti-authoritarian theme runs through all three plays, Bedtime Story from 1951 has the most pointed comments to make, in this case about religious hypocrisy and sexual double standards. Set in a claustrophobic boarding house, it concerns a pious young man, John Jo (Aaron Monaghan), who wants to cover up the fact that he has invited a woman, Angela (Sarah Morris), back to his room overnight. As he haplessly tries to smuggle her out of the house and pretend it never happened, Angela turns the tables on him, with the audience cheering her on. On tour until 18 December. Continue reading... | | | | | |
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