Fantasy and farce at Largs Players
Published 4 Aug 2010 09:30
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You've been Tango'ed! ... Largs Players play it for laughs at this year's Comedy Theatre at Brisbane Centre on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Largs Players returned to the little theatre by the sea for their 17th annual performance of the Comedy Theatre with two contrasting plays which provided laughter and frivolity in equal measure.
"Last Tango in Largs" by David Tristam had definite elements of the likes of 'Vicar of Dibley' and even a bit of "Carry On" in a tale about the worst local amateur dramatic group facing the final curtain and their outlandish plan to prevent their demise.
The second play "The Extraordinary Revelations of Orca the Goldfish", also by David Tristam, perhaps couldn't be further away from the subject title if it had tried, only adding to the unpredictable and surreal element of a wonderful show.
Last Tango certainly hit the spot as the hapless cast members have debt up to their eyeballs and are threatened with eviction from their theatre. At this point, Chairman of the group Gordon, played by Ian Somerville, comes up with a cunning plan which Baldrick would have been proud of.
"Sex sells!" pronounces Gordon to the delight and disgust of fellow cast members as he announces that he will write a script with some explicit scenes involving the sordid secrets of a seaside town in a bid to bring the audiences in their droves.
The second play "The Extraordinary Revelations of Orca The Goldfish" is an ambitious production and stars two of Largs Players' longest serving performers in Drew Cochrane and Linda McMurray as the unhappy couple and take centre stage for the full duration which showcases the diversity of Largs Players.
While the play has plenty of laughter, it was mixed with some dramatic moments as Henry and Alice's marriage seems to be inevitably heading for the rocks.
Drew plays hopeless Henry who is going through the motions of suburban life, while Linda is the harassed housewife Alice who is tired of her daily chores.
The joie de vivre of their relationship seemed to disappear long ago... and then the daydreaming begins and we are taken on a spectacular ride from the sun-kissed beaches of Africa to a classic film noir murder investigation which again, couldn't be further away from their daily lives if they tried.
It is all part of an incredible bid to re-kindle the romance that they once had through their fantasies, but will it be enough for them to see the light?
Both Linda and Drew end up playing numerous roles in a cracking 45 minutes of theatrical tension which builds up into a fantasy world that has to be seen to be believed and is sprinkled with plenty of risque humour and roleplay.
It is fitting that as the Largs Players' Comedy Theatre at the Brisbane Centre enters the awkward and rebellious age of 17, that this year's production was a new and refreshing take on the format, directed with panache and aplomb by Jan Green and Laura Archbold, with Calum McVittie and Alistair Archbold providing the sound and lighting. Overall, a real tour de farce!
This article appeared in Largs & Millport Weekly News 04 Aug 10
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