‘Charley’s Aunt’

Press, 10 December 1984, Page 4

‘Charley’s Aunt’

“Charley’s Aunt,” by Brandon Thomas, directed by Elric Hooper for the Court Theatre. December 8 to February 2. Running time: 8 p.m. to 10.15 p.m. Reviewed by Gerrit Bahlman.

The Court’s Christmas production is an ideal choice for a family excursion to the theatre. Light and frothy, this 90-year-old farce predates "The Importance of Being Earnest” and shares with it the conventions of the Victorian farce. The plot is predictable and lends itself to fun and nonsense.

The tale revolves round two destitute Oxford students, Jack Chesney and Charles Wykeham, who find themselves entranced by two lovely maidens pure, Amy Spettigue and Kitty Verdun. Charley’s Aunt’s arrival from Brazil affords an opportunity to invite the girls to the rooms for lunch. Having done so, a telegram arrives telling of aunty’s non-arrival. Pandemonium breaks out as the fellow from the next room is enveigled into donning Victorian drag and assuming the essential role to maintain proprieties. The production began nervously with a sense of deliberate contrivance. The script’s relevance and Victorian wit is less gripping for a modern audience and consequently the theatrical business is an essential feature for its success. Mr Hooper’s artifice was in early evidence. The interaction between the three chaps as they juggled a bag containing champagne bottles, was skilfully executed.

The surprise of viewing

synchronised swimming sequences on the stage, as two characters moved together, and infantile parodies of boxing matches, were immediately recognised as the work of a director intent on breathing comic life into an older script. While the early scenes of the production struggled to reach their comic intent, the advent of Lord Fancourt Babberley (Tony Mack) lifted the farce immediately. As the straight toffeenosed lord, Mack had a wicked glint in his eye and a charming gawkiness which screamed comedy. Once having doffed the Charley’s Aunt costume, which closely resembled corresponding garb associated with Queen Victoria, Tony Mack’s blokely excesses elicited wholehearted laughter. Alistair Browning and Jeff Boyd as Jack and Charley were pale, straight characters beside Tony Mack. As the season continues they can afford to relax and enjoy their roles more. John Curry’s gravelly voice caught the pomposity and charm of Jack’s father, the affected military man intent on seducing Charley’s Aunt, Donna Lucia d’Alvadorez — alias Lord Fancourt Babberley. His competition was the gloriously doddery Geoffrey Wearing, who gave life to the guardian of the two maidens of the piece, Amy and Kitty Sd by Eilish Moran and Fisher. The comic opportunities for these two actresses were limited to appearing pretty and behaving modestly. The serving man for the rooms was played by Mark

Trezona with a daft ability to ensure an abudance of perquisites. Yvonne Martin as the real Donna Lucia and her niece, Ela Delahay, completed the cast and ensured the successful coupling of all the younger men. Costuming by Pamela Maling was firmly lodged at the turn of the century with the leg-o’-mutton sleeve featuring on all the women’s costumes and the Edwardian frock coat being adopted for John Curry’s costume. The detail and texture of the costuming were a feature of the production. The set, designed by Tony Geddes also featured a splendid attention to detail. The atmosphere of the clositered environs of Oxford was acheived by the use of full textured backdrops mounted on moveable rostrums. The concave backdrops were used on both sides and as they were swung into position the in; terior and exterior scenes unfolded. Stained-glass windows and period furniture graced the set but the overall impression was not one of exactitude. The set captured an element of fun which was highlighted by the scene change to Act 111 where the backstage crew mingled with the performers to reset the stage. It is inevitable that a hoary old play such as “Charley’s Aunt” will have moments of predictable tedium. The play was given a solid pace and such moments were not obtrusive to the general flow of enjoyment. As a choice for a longer than usual season over the Christmas holidays it will have a wide family appeal.