BOEING BOEING
PRESENTED BY THE LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
Wednesday 13th - Saturday 16th May
PRESENTED BY THE LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
Wednesday 13th - Saturday 16th May
Within days of the curtain coming down on their hit production, Sunset Boulevard, Little Theatre Company have had no time to kick off their heels, relax and reflect on their triumph as they are back in full throttle with rehearsals for their next production, Boeing Boeing. A classic farce written by the French playwright Marc Camoletti, with the English language adaptation, translated by Beverley Cross, Boeing Boeing was first staged in London at the Apollo Theatre in 1962 and transferred to the Duchess Theatre in 1965, running for a total of seven years. In 1991, the play was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most performed French play throughout the world, which gives you some idea of its popularity.
The play, revamped in 2007, revolves around Bernard, played by Julian Cottee, a successful architect, who thinks that he can easily cope with his three air hostess fiancees. He relies on timetables and his dependable, long-suffering housekeeper Bertha, played by LTC stalwart Sue Morley, who reluctantly has the role of romantic air-traffic controller. Then when old school chum Robert (Darren Harper) arrives, Bernard relishes the chance to show his wide-eyed friend his first-class operation at work. The air hostesses are played by Laura Harper as Italian, Gabriella, Laura Witherall as American, Gloria and Gretchen, the German hostess is played by Victoria Tewes.
With all five of the main cast having appeared in Sunset Boulevard only two weeks ago, this has been quite some turnaround for them. “With only 2 weeks between the two shows, we’ve been rehearsing 4 nights a week.” Laura tells me.
This group certainly seem to like a challenge and I ask Darren why they are the only musical group in the area who also put on a drama once a year as well as two musical productions. “There’s always been a demand for it; we’ve been producing plays for probably the last 14 or 15 years now.” he tells me. “Our members really like doing them and we usually tend to go for comedies.” Their previous productions have included The Farndale Avenue comedies, The Odd Couple and Calendar Girls which have all been very successful.
I catch up with the cast as they are halfway through rehearsing the second Act of the play and find myself giggling away, despite not having seen it from the beginning; which I think gives an indication of the gratuitous laughter this farce will bring to the audience.
One person who, it could be argued, has the most important job in this production is Debbie Smallbone, who will be sitting in the lighting box during show week. With a rather complicated set including seven, yes SEVEN, doors and a multitude of comings and goings at a seriously fast pace, Debbie is in the unenviable position of making sure that all the actors enter the stage on cue. With the help of Director, Colin Bott, they have devised an ingenious colour coded lighting design that will be streamed backstage and indicate to each of the actors the exact time they need to walk through their respective doors. “This system will ensure that the pace of the show is maintained,” Debbie calmly informs me. “We actually went to see the show when it was performed at The Queens Theatre in Hornchurch and met the cast and crew afterwards. We found out that they were using an almost similar devise in their production too!” Darren Harper laughs, “Yeah, despite one of the actresses saying that she knew nothing about it!”
With just a week to go, I’m sure that Little Theatre Company will know exactly where they’re going with this production. Just make sure you ‘stop over’ at The Dixon Studio next week. Don’t miss the flight!
To read the review click here
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
The play, revamped in 2007, revolves around Bernard, played by Julian Cottee, a successful architect, who thinks that he can easily cope with his three air hostess fiancees. He relies on timetables and his dependable, long-suffering housekeeper Bertha, played by LTC stalwart Sue Morley, who reluctantly has the role of romantic air-traffic controller. Then when old school chum Robert (Darren Harper) arrives, Bernard relishes the chance to show his wide-eyed friend his first-class operation at work. The air hostesses are played by Laura Harper as Italian, Gabriella, Laura Witherall as American, Gloria and Gretchen, the German hostess is played by Victoria Tewes.
With all five of the main cast having appeared in Sunset Boulevard only two weeks ago, this has been quite some turnaround for them. “With only 2 weeks between the two shows, we’ve been rehearsing 4 nights a week.” Laura tells me.
This group certainly seem to like a challenge and I ask Darren why they are the only musical group in the area who also put on a drama once a year as well as two musical productions. “There’s always been a demand for it; we’ve been producing plays for probably the last 14 or 15 years now.” he tells me. “Our members really like doing them and we usually tend to go for comedies.” Their previous productions have included The Farndale Avenue comedies, The Odd Couple and Calendar Girls which have all been very successful.
I catch up with the cast as they are halfway through rehearsing the second Act of the play and find myself giggling away, despite not having seen it from the beginning; which I think gives an indication of the gratuitous laughter this farce will bring to the audience.
One person who, it could be argued, has the most important job in this production is Debbie Smallbone, who will be sitting in the lighting box during show week. With a rather complicated set including seven, yes SEVEN, doors and a multitude of comings and goings at a seriously fast pace, Debbie is in the unenviable position of making sure that all the actors enter the stage on cue. With the help of Director, Colin Bott, they have devised an ingenious colour coded lighting design that will be streamed backstage and indicate to each of the actors the exact time they need to walk through their respective doors. “This system will ensure that the pace of the show is maintained,” Debbie calmly informs me. “We actually went to see the show when it was performed at The Queens Theatre in Hornchurch and met the cast and crew afterwards. We found out that they were using an almost similar devise in their production too!” Darren Harper laughs, “Yeah, despite one of the actresses saying that she knew nothing about it!”
With just a week to go, I’m sure that Little Theatre Company will know exactly where they’re going with this production. Just make sure you ‘stop over’ at The Dixon Studio next week. Don’t miss the flight!
To read the review click here
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
The cast of Boeing Boeing