“Some Mothers Do Ave Em”
Nottingham Theatre Royal

Straight away, let me say that this is not Joe Pasquale doing an impression of Michael Crawford playing Frank Spencer.There are no "ooh Betty's" and Joe does not try to emulate Crawford at all. That said, Joe captures the whole Frank Spencer aura and along with the short appearance of the beret and raincoat, every Spencer-esque quality is there without being an out and out tribute act.

Written and Directed by Guy Unsworth and based on the TV series by Raymond Allen this is comedy as we used to see back in the day. It’s quintessentially British and will take you back to a time where comedy TV shows were actually funny, and that is all down to the writing and the actors being able to turn those funny scripts into funny shows. Something you rarely see on TV these days.

The show stars Joe Pasquale as Frank, Sarah Earnshaw as Betty and Suzie Blake as the Mother In Law, although tonight Jayne Ashley stepped into Suzie's shoes, and did it extremely well.

Joe has not only the physicality to play Frank but he also has the vocal ability to use and twist the script to bring out every drop of comedy with perfect timing. The tongue twisting and malapropisms spring from Pasquale’s lips with agility and ease. At the end of the day, Mr Pasquale is one of the UK's best comedy actors, so this role is the perfect vehicle for his great talents.

Sarah actually sounded like the Michelle Dotrice character from the original shows, and was a wonderful foil to her hapless husband

Making up the rest of the cast were Moray Treadwell (Mr Luscombe/Mr Worthington), David Shaw-Parker (Father o Hara) and Ben Watson (Desmond/Constable). These three actors all added to the comedy melting pot, especially the "Knock three Times" section near the end of Act Two.

Timing plays a very important part of this play and every actor's timing was spot on, not only for the delivery of the many jokes and one liners, but for the physical comedy element.

While the script stays true to the original feel of the TV show, it's fresh.and very funny. Some of the jokes you could see coming a mile off but that all added to the joy of this farce. A little like panto when you can see what is coming but you relish the moment any way.

There is a saying that you can't beat the old ones, and that is so true when you get a character like Spencer that has in the past been so well written for, and is a comedy TV legend. Let's face it we can all remember that iconic roller skating scene. Comedy Gold. It's still talked about and exalted today, and that is because there is nothing to match that scene from any TV sit com. And there was a nod to this scene when Pasquale said that he's been "articulated", the same phrase as when Crawford skated under the articulated lorry. Check out the clip on Youtube.

You'll love the set as well, which takes you back to the 1970's, complete with garish wall paper, religious icon photo and posters of Brucie and Engelbert and 70's props.

It could be a long time before you see a stage comedy as funny as this, with a script as well crafted as this, and as well presented as this cast present it. Go along and exercise those chuckle muscles, and believe me they will be in for a real workout!

“Some Mothers Do Ave Em” is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 14 March.