Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
17th-21st April 2018
Cast
Joe Pasquale as Frank Spencer
Sarah Earnshaw as Betty Spencer
Susie Blake as Barbara Fisher
Moray Treadwell as Terry Luscombe/David Worthington
David Shaw-Parker as Father O'Hara
Chris Kiely as Desmond James/Constable
(Understudies Leoni Kibbey & Peter F Gardiner)
Even in 2018 Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em remains one of the most iconic TV Comedies this country has ever produced. The 1970's production, which ran for 5 years (73-78) consistently topped the viewing figure ratings with hapless Frank Spencer's farcical escapades. Michael Crawford CBE is of course best known for starring in the side-splitting sitcom and famed for undertaking all his own stunts.
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| Joe Pasquale and Sarah Earnshaw |
I do have to say it was great , and I heard others saying likewise, that Joe didn't try to just impersonate the TV character. It has worked far better with the comedian just being virtually his normal stage self and transferring his own traits into this show.
I honestly don't think I have seen a funnier stage play and this sets a new benchmark on which I shall judge stage comedies. I have never heard so much constant laughter in the Devonshire Park Theatre.
Joe is utterly brilliant but the rest of the cast are equally as impressive. Sarah Earnshaw (who I believe I last saw in the musical Jekyll and Hyde in Tunbridge Wells back in 2011) is a wonderful, despairing but devoted Betty.
Meanwhile Susie Blake has us in stitches as she turns to alcohol for salvation as the farce develops. Susie is no stranger to Eastbourne theatres having been at this same venue back in 2009 starring in another comedy Boeing Boeing.
The remaining cast members may not be as well known as the aforementioned trio but they are just as talented and funny. All credit goes to Emily Jones for a great casting on this tour.
But there is a final non-living star of this great production and that is the set itself. It is extremely innovative, functional and technologically impressive. For one, relatively small, set to be able to effectively and convincingly recreate an actual episode of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em is quite an achievement.
But that is what this set achieves. Every part of this multi function set seemed to work flawlessly. You never quite knew what surprises it could reveal next. You are left until the very end for it to perform its magnificent finale.
It even provides an opportunity for Joe to perform his best stunt of the night. I won't spoil the surprise here but lets just say if you thought Joe has a higher than average voice well this stunt may just be making it a tad higher on each performance.
Well done to Simon Higlett for designing such a great set !
To sum up if you love your comedies this is one you really should not miss. It is a totally hilarious masterpiece.
Joe Pasquale and this magnificent cast truly bring the house down !
But that is what this set achieves. Every part of this multi function set seemed to work flawlessly. You never quite knew what surprises it could reveal next. You are left until the very end for it to perform its magnificent finale.
It even provides an opportunity for Joe to perform his best stunt of the night. I won't spoil the surprise here but lets just say if you thought Joe has a higher than average voice well this stunt may just be making it a tad higher on each performance.
Well done to Simon Higlett for designing such a great set !
To sum up if you love your comedies this is one you really should not miss. It is a totally hilarious masterpiece.
Joe Pasquale and this magnificent cast truly bring the house down !
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