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.

Joe Pasquale and Sarah Earnshaw

It takes a brave and talented man to bring such a well known role to the stage and I can't think of anybody better (and crazier) than Joe Pasquale to portray such a well known character.

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 !

Jekyll and Hyde, Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

Jekyll and Hyde

Assembly Hall Theatre

Tunbridge Wells

30 May - 4 June 2011

(show seen 1st June)

Cast

Dr Henry Jekyll & Mr Edward Hyde - Marti Pellow

Lucy - Sabrina Carter

Emma - Sarah Earnshaw

Sir Danvers - David Delve

Utterson - Mark McGee

Lady Beaconsfield - Amira Matthews

Simon Stride - Michael Taibi

General Glossop - Martin Dickinson

Sir Archibald Proops - Matt Stevens

Lord Savage/Spider - Jacob Chapman

Bishop Of Basingstoke - Jon De Ville

Poole - James Gant

Bisset - Daniel Robinson

Ensemble - Carolyn Maitland

Ensemble - Alexandra Grierson

Ensemble - Grace Gardner

Ensemble/Swing - Rob Copeland

Ensemble/Swing - Kerri Watt

The thing about having severe short term memory problems is that, in contrast, my long term memory is pretty vivid. I thought it was only a couple of years ago we thoroughly enjoyed Paul Nicholas starring in Jekyll and Hyde at the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne. I can still picture Nicholas on stage mixing his steaming colourful concoction to drink. It therefore came as a bit of a shock to find it was 7 years ago (August/Sept 2004).

Now I already know just how well Marti Pellow can act and sing having seen him star in the 2009 production of The Witches Of Eastwick but I still couldn't see that he could equal Paul Nicholas's amazing portrayal of the characters created by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Well, he didn't equal the performance given by Nicholas. No he exceeded it in every aspect. As Jekyll I found him to be a total believable doctor. Confident in his career yet disillusioned by those in power who put barriers in the way of his research. And as Hyde? Well what a transformation. A simple ruffle of the hair is all that was required to turn Pellow from gentleman to total monster. I've got to be honest but he was also great as Mr nasty, Darryl Van Horne, in The Witches Of Eastwick but J&H is a far superior production.

As for the vocals well Marti delivers nothing but power and perfection throughout the show, as you may expect. But what you may not anticipate is the two incredible leading ladies in this show. Sabrina Carter as 'lady of the night' Lucy and Sarah Earnshaw as the much more refined fiancee of Jekyll, Emma both perform impeccably.

I find it hard to recall a production with 3 so incredibly talented lead vocals heading the cast. Also how Sabrina manages to remain in her tight corset as Pellow slings her around stage and bed is anybodys guess.

My mentioning of those 3 leads does not detract from the fabulous performances given by all the other cast members all of whom are perfectly suited to their roles. I feel duty bound to give Jacob Chapman a mention for his brilliant undertaking of 2 characters, Lord Savage and Spider. It is he who provides the little humour which exists in this dark tale and he does it so well.

After the utter disappointment of The Wizard Of Oz at this same venue it was great to see a traditional musical performed so wonderfully.

The sad thing for this production in Tunbridge Wells was that it clashed with the TV semi finals and final of Britain's Got Talent. It was very evident, having seen which seats were prebooked, that not only was the audience relatively small but so many people who had paid for tickets did not turn up. I think its the only time we have been to a major production to find we were the only couple in the whole front row.

I have to say, especially in these days of digital recorders, I find that attitude a little sad. Also a little ironic that many are choosing to stay at home watching a show which is promoting acts which will hopefully go on to be successful theatre acts themselves but foregoing a stunning theatrical production they have paid good money to see. To quote an occasional Britain's Got Talent judge, Louis Walsh, "I really don't get it!".

Anyway for those of you around the country who are yet to see Jekyll and Hyde with Marti Pellow I would thoroughly recommend that you see it and record anything on TV that is so important.

Well done to all involved, including the band of course, Jekyll and Hyde is a fantastic musical!

(The photo was a signing Marti kindly provided for Great Ormond Street Hospital for children. Click the image for more details)