‘Sneers and Delusions’

Press, 2 September 1983, Page 4

‘Sneers and Delusions’

“Sneers and Delusions,” by A. K. Grant. Music by Dorothy. Buchanan. Directed by Eliic Hooper at Court Theatre 2. September 1. Running time: 8.15 p.m. to 10.40 p.m. Reviewed by John Farnsworth. Revue writing can be a harder task than it looks, and there were times in “Sneers and Delusions” when the perspiration peeped through. Little wonder script-writing of this kind is frequently a teameffort, and even a veteran of Alan Grant’s calibre can use the assistance that colleagues provide. The revue was written to celebrate the reopening of the expanded Studio Theatre, now renamed Coyt 2. Certainly it is an ungrovement on its Mob-box dimensions, with afl

slightly larger acting area, more elbow room for the audience, while retaining the flexibility of staging it had before. The revue itself was a long mixture of about 40 sketches, songs, and routines presented by five performers in a bewildering array of quick changes, funny walks, and often imaginitive costumes. Undoubtedly, the cast were the strength of the show. Performing at a cracking pace with a constant barrage of nicely integrated business and good timing, they poured energy into some otherwise dubious routines. Martyn Duffy and Yvonne Martin stood out in a strong team with a well judged series of cameos ranging »■ from Duffy’s opaque jester . and three-headed oracle to

Yvonne Martin’s impersonations and singing. Deborah David and Chris Boje combined adroitly in “Saucy Madrigal,” and Craig Hood admirably filled Prince Charles’s shoes, and ears, when required. _ They were unobtrusively, but expertly, supported by John Densem’s piano accompaniment.

The sketches themselves varied enourmously and the writing could have been greatly tightened. On the other hand, some items, noably a beautiful presented Mr Cosmic Galaxy, drew screeches of delight from the audience.

Over all, it is a presentation which stands or falls on the energy and delivery of the performers. On last evening’s efforts it clearly remained firmly on two feet