|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Edinburgh : A&E : Theatre: Reviews |
|
Theatre listings > The Odd Couple
Hitting all the right notes with lots of local and topical references from the Jack Vittirano paintings in Oscar's now bachelor pad to Scotland's Other National Drink and Scottish holiday resorts out of season, this version of Simon's well loved play and film of the same name, takes off into laughter land from the beginning. Andy Gray as Oscar and Gerard Kelly as Felix head up the wholly Scottish cast and are the central dynamos to a production full of fine business and plenty of space for the already excellent characterisations to grow. Rarely have I seen a cast so on the ball on the first night. Richard Conlon as Speed, John Paul Hurley is Murray, Barrie Hunter is Roy and Alan Steele is particularily fine as Vinnie the man who's clearly hen pecked but gets his revenge by off season breaks in Scottish seaside towns. They give their characterisations a lot of welly making certain the ball of this tightly written, acutely observed comedy is never dropped, as they play cards or worry over where Felix the missing hand for the game has got to. Oscar and Felix, friends and now flatmates and both in martial difficulties, try to live together but it's hard. Oscar wobbles towards being a slob while Felix has a thing about cleanliness, he sprays air freshener and wipes surfaces at every opportunity. We're warned before we go in that smoking would occur on stage it's the spraying we should be warned of! In the second act Oscar fixes up a little dinner date with the English widow and divorcee sisters living up stairs and Gwendolyn, Gail Watson and Cecily, Claire Knight add to the fun of it all. Their giggling artificial posh accents is the only thing I would quibble about, I'd have gone for a educated sounding Brummy pair myself. Ken Alexander directs his actors with zesty comic skill and they reward him in spades, and typical of the Byre the scene changes are done with skill and flair. The set is beautifully lit by Simon Wilkinson who is begining to really make his mark as a designer who knows how to shed light and colour just right. Rebecca Minto's overall design ensures we see into Oscar's smallest room and doesn't overdo Oscar's disorder. After it opens at the Byre it is touring to the main areas of Scotland so catch it when it comes, you'll have a great night with this highly successful Scottish flavoured version of Simon's Odd Couple. © Thelma Good 30 August 2002 Tour of Byre Theatre's The Odd Couple Tour starts 29 Aug - 7 Sept not Sun at St Andrews Byre Theatre 01334 475000 9 Sept for a week at Inverness Eden Court Theatre 01463 239841 16 - 21 Sept at 7:30pm Mat 21 at 2pm Dundee Whitehall Theatre 01382 322684 23 - 28 Sept at 7:30pm Mats Wed and Sat at 2:30pm Edinburgh Kings Theatre 0131 529 6000 30 Sept - 5 Oct at 7:30pm Mats Wed & Sat at 2:30pm Glasgow Kings Theatre 0141 287 5511 Tour ends Theatre listings >>
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
