"Lord Arthur Savile's Crimes" by Oscar Wilde.
This play started off as a short story, written by Oscar Wilde back in 1891. In 1952 Constance Cox adapted the story and has been a regular theatre piece ever since. Anyone, like myself who likes a bit of Wildean wit, will wilfully wallow in this wickedly wonderful comedy.
Unknown to Lady Julia, Mr Podgers tells Arthur that his palm reading reveals he must commit a murder. Arthur, aided and abetted by his faithful butler, Baines, decides to kill off one of his lovely elderly relatives, but all does not go quite to plan……
Bertie Black plays Savile, a role that seems to be made for him in every respect. Bertie is so accomplished as a visual, and physical comedy and character actor that Savile, Wilde and Black are the perfect combination. Bertie's quick thinking when props don't behave themselves was wonderful to see as he kept the character throughout those pesky props problems. They say every performance is unique, and this one, on opening night, certainly was and added to the comedy thanks to Bertie's quick mind.
Baines, the butler, is played by another actor who I know to be a "safe bet", and that's Patrick McDonough. Baines' expressions at some of the suggestions from his master are enough to make you chuckle without saying a word, but the droll delivery of the script for Baines is perfectly delivered. Even the slow walk to answer the door becomes comedy gold after a while.
Sybil Merton, Savile's betrothed, is played by Sophie Dobb. There's a lovely array of emotions with this character, all of which executed brilliantly by Sophie.
The Dean of Paddington is played by Roger Newman. I love it when you can have a laugh at high up people in the religious sector and not feel embarrassed, and Roger's portrayal is the perfect vehicle for that laughter. Even when the Dean is showing his more serious and angry side, this just makes it funnier.
Lady Windermere is played by the lovely Kate Purdue. Lady Windermere has had dealings with Podger previously, and shows us her distrust of the man. But why does she feel this way? Is it something he saw in her palm and then told her that she disliked?
Lady Clementina Beauchamp is played by Kathy Matthews, an actor of whom I've had the pleasure of seeing perform several times. Even now, after having seen this play before, she made me take an intake of breath with the chocolate/candy scene as well as the glass of port section. More than that I will not divulge because this is another great execution of Wildean wit in play form. You know when in a horror film and the victim goes up to the attic and you're shouting at the film not to go there..........nuff said!
Lady Julia Merton is a proper battleaxe, and I can't have imagined anyone playing a battleaxe better than Avril McCormick, if for no other reason than she is another cracking character actor who looked to have enjoyed playing a character far removed from her own personality. Her vitriolic put downs of Savile were loaded with acid and her withering looks make Maggie Smith's Downton Abbey Dowager look perfectly pleasant!
Greg Nicholas plays renowned palm reader, Podger. I last saw Greg in panto at the start of this year but also remember his fine acting in Arnold Ridley's "The Ghost Train", both performed by The Burton Joyce Players. Here he forges another fine character performance.
The house maid, Nellie, is played by Hannah Smith. Not a massive part but extremely believable in the role and with excellent manners.
And finally, one of the other big comedy characters in the play, Herr Winkelkopf, played by Danny Longbottom. Wilde had the knack of writing wonderful over the top comedy characters and Herr Winkelkopf is one of the best. With that archetypal German accent, his facial expressions and his wacky ideas, this role is perfect for a comedy character actor like Danny. Danny also seems to have an ear for "bad accents" - the accents are supposed to be see through bad, not that Danny does the accents badly - as I remember his South African accent in "And then There Were None" for West Bridgford Dramatic Society.
Directed by Deborah Craddock, and there is nothing that Deborah has not thought of to make this production practically perfect. You all know I love realism in productions; well, we have glasses and decanters with various coloured liquids that are consumed, candies in the candy box and after telling us that it was raining outside, The Dean's umbrella was wet when he entered on set. You can see the effort, time and attention to detail that Deborah has invested in this production, and it certainly paid off with me. Deep joy indeed!
The Set Design, which is of an 1890's drawing room in the house of Savile's in Grosvenor Square, London is by Bob Mercer. As soon as you step through the doors of the Village Hall, that marvellous set is there for you to drink in. Possibly one of the best sets that I've seen at the Village Hall to be honest. The props, and there are so many of them, are great and fit so well with the time period.
The costumes were splendid, with several costume changes for practically every one apart from Nellie, the Dean and Baines. Credit to Jenny Harwood, Lesley Tomlinson, Gwen McCormick assisted by The Lace Market Theatre.
Lighting Design by Dominic Mills, and as usual Dom did a great job of the lighting, which I assume included the wonderfully realistic lighting effects, which on a couple of occasions, combined with the sound effects, made me jump.
Sound Design tonight is by Deborah Craddock, who stepped into the breach at the last moment and did a sterling job.
Produced by Kathy Matthews and Patrick McDonough and stage managed by Molly Fitches.
One person who didn't have a lot to do - apart from follow the script - was the prompt, Dermot Randall, who was needed on just one occasion, and as there's a heck of a lot of script in this play, this was a top job done by the whole cast.
I am a big fan of the wit of Oscar Wilde and his plays, and when the play in question is performed as good as this, it'd be a shame not to go along and see this play.
"Lord Arthur Savile's Crimes" may, or may not, be committed at the Burton Joyce Village Hall until Saturday 30 September.
Tickets, £8.00 per person, are available to purchase from Rhubarbs Cafe, (Church Road), NOLA Coffee & Deli and the Willow Tea Room (both Main Street) or online from www.ticketsource.co.uk/bjp
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