Show: Boeing Boeing
Society: Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Venue: Trinity Theatre, The Grove, Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Credits: Marc Camoletti
Type: Sardines
Performance Date: 28/10/2017
Boeing Boeing
Cheryl Barrett | 30 Oct 2017 14:23pm
Sardines review by Cheryl May – ‘BOEING BOEING’ by Cowes Amateur Operatic Dramatic Society (CAODS)
CAODS were flying high with their production of ‘Boeing Boeing’.
With so many amateur dramatic groups on the Isle of Wight audiences are spoiled for choice in watching live theatre. Tucked away in a side street Trinity Theatre is the hidden jewel in West Cowes crown. With an illustrious history, CAODS celebrate their hundred and twentieth anniversary next year, it also has a thriving youth theatre to ensure its future. Hosting a wide range of plays, musicals, old thyme music hall and an annual pantomime Trinity Theatre provides a focal point for the theatrical arts in the local community.
I love a good farce, and CAODS production of ‘Boeing Boeing’ was extremely good. Written by French playwright Marc Camoletti ‘Boeing Boeing’ is a classic farce. Translated by Beverley Cross it achieved great success in 1962 when it played to London audiences and ran for seven years.
The play is set over the course of one day at the Parisien apartment of Bernard, and revolves around his love life as he tries to impress his old school friend Robert with the fact that he is engaged to three beautiful air stewardesses. Robert is suitably disapproving at the outset but gets embroiled in the deception when, due to a storm, Bernard’s meticulous airline timetable schedules go awry. With all three air stewardess fiancées in Paris at the same time chaos abounds. It was great fun to watch as Bernard became increasingly scheming, and all too ready to sacrifice everyone else in order to keep his three fiancées from meeting.
As with any good farce there were improbable plots and implausible explanations, girlfriends turning up unexpectedly, slamming doors and plenty of physical and visual humour but this fine cast carried it off smoothly.
With their wonderful characterisations Steve Taverner as lothario Bernard and Pete Harris as his school friend Robert, delivered good performances and were perfect foils for each other. Pete Harris was superb throughout, showing Robert as a naïve and unsophisticated man from the provinces on his arrival in Paris. As each fiancée arrived at Bernard’s apartment Robert’s initial discomfort was obvious, however in the capable hands of Harris the shy innocent Robert gradually disappeared – his amorous scenes with Gretchen and Gloria were hilarious.
Carolyn Ferguson turned in a lovely performance as Bernard’s put upon but disapproving housekeeper Bertha. Carolyn delivered some funny put downs, her mannerisms and demeanour conveyed Bertha’s pessimistic outlook perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes when Bertha and Robert try to cover up Bernard’s duplicitousness.
Bernard’s love interests Gloria (Nessa Law), Gabrielle (Trish Hall) and Gretchen (Vicky Quilter) were all very different in temperament. Nessa Law’s American accent never faltered and her portrayal of Gloria was delightful, especially funny was her seduction of Robert every time he said “It’s not a problem”. Trish Hall played the part of Gabriella as British instead of Italian, giving a lovely performance. I particularly liked Vicky Quilter’s portrayal of Gretchen, a no-nonsense German. Gretchen’s appearance certainly lifted the action up a notch. Miss Quilter delivered a convincing German accent throughout.
Foreign accents can be a challenge to amateur dramatic societies and result in the comedy and diction suffering as a result. It was interesting to note that Bernard, Robert, Bertha and Gabriella were played with English accents and not French or Italian as written, however it worked perfectly.
Costumes were in keeping with the period, the air stewardess costumes and bags were spot on. The set was impressive and well furnished with five visible doors and two non-visible entrances/exits, all of which stood up well to the energetic performances and door slamming. Lighting and sound teams added the finishing touches by creating the perfect ambience. Live music from musician John Pollard during the interval and after the final curtain complimented the play perfectly. I sang along (quietly I might add) to Les Feuilles Mortes, La Mer, Under The Bridges of Paris and Fly Me To The Moon.
Farce is one of the hardest genres to get right but this production ticked all the boxes – it was well cast, directed and staged. Director Gwen Stevens and Assistant Director Carolyn Ferguson are to be congratulated on a first class production that kept the audience entertained throughout.
- : admin
- : 28/10/2017