REVIEW
Some Mothers Do Ave Em
Palace Theatre, Westciff on Sea
24th - 28th July 2018
Some Mothers Do Ave Em
Palace Theatre, Westciff on Sea
24th - 28th July 2018
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
On the last week of the tour, Some Mothers Do Ave Em probably doesn’t need much of an introduction. The packed out Palace Theatre on the first night of the Southend run is proof in the pudding that either this type of show is what the people want to see, or that audiences have read the reviews and don’t want to miss out on seeing just what Joe Pasquale has done with a show that, let’s face it, has become pretty iconic amongst us Brits. The thing is, we do - or did - love a sitcom and the seventies and eighties were the time when sitcoms were at their peak. Of course, much of the appeal of Some Mothers Do Ave Em was the fact that Michael Crawford gave so much of himself to the role. He is renowned for the numerous stunts he did throughout the series and it became so popular that there couldn’t have been one person who wasn’t familiar with the catchphrase “Ooh Betty”. He also became an impressionist’s dream and must have been the most impersonated character throughout the whole time the series was shown on tv.
With all this in mind, you have to take your hat off to Joe Pasquale and the sheer guts and gall he must have to take on a role like this. For starters, there is always going to be a risk adapting anything from tv to stage - it doesn't always work but Guy Unsworth has managed to write a script that is original yet faithful to its roots. From the moment Pasquale walks through the door declaring, “Betty, I’m home..” the audience are up for the rollercoaster ride that this play, its cast and most of all Pasquale as Frank Spencer will take you on.
And, my goodness, what a rollercoaster ride it is! I simply cannot imagine any other person being able to pull off the role of Frank Spencer in the way that Pasquale has. In the same way that Michael Crawford brought a lot of himself into the role of Frank for the tv series, Pasquale has done exactly the same with his interpretation. And it works. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with it all as the action happens so quickly but that’s Joe and I doff my cap to the other cast members who keep going. The humour is also very reminiscent of that time which may not appeal, perhaps, to a younger audience. However, this is certainly a hard working and extremely tight cast who have perfected not only every line but every move too.
Sarah Earnshaw, again not doing an impression of Michelle Dotrice, but making Betty her own is wonderfully appealing. Her and Pasquale clearly work very well together and she also has great comic timing. Some of her facial expressions alone had the audience in stitches. Her reactions to Frank are fabulous, in particular at one point when he tells her that they could be married for another 40 years to come!
Moray Treadwell, David Shaw-Parker and Chris Kiely provide great support and also have their work cut out, especially when Pasquale is literally right in their faces but it is Susie Blake as Betty’s mother, Barbara, who almost steals every scene she is in with a fabulous performance as the disapproving mother-in-law and the only one enjoying, a little too much of Frank’s homemade prune wine.
The premise of the story is that, in typical sitcom fashion, Betty is pregnant and is trying to find a good time to tell Frank. Everyone but Frank seems to know. Frank, in the meantime, is hell bent on trying to impress a talent scout from the BBC with his magic show in-between his numerous attempts at doing DIY in the house.
Talking of the house, Simon Higlett has done the most outstanding job on designing this set with one after another of DIY disasters to befall it - truly award winning. I loved Frank's turntable which only played when you stamp the floor but played some cracking 70s tunes. I also enjoyed the little dance routine teasers which were randomly inserted into the action, including the curtain call.
The star of the show is, of course, Joe Pasquale as Frank. The show may seem a little too full on at times with its relentlessness - sometimes you just need to stop and digest what’s just happened before the next onslaught, but, as I mentioned, this show is a real rollercoaster ride and the Southend audience on press night were enjoying every dip and turn - right up to the loop the loop finale.
There are a few tickets still available throughout the week but check with the box office (01702 351135) before you come or go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk
With all this in mind, you have to take your hat off to Joe Pasquale and the sheer guts and gall he must have to take on a role like this. For starters, there is always going to be a risk adapting anything from tv to stage - it doesn't always work but Guy Unsworth has managed to write a script that is original yet faithful to its roots. From the moment Pasquale walks through the door declaring, “Betty, I’m home..” the audience are up for the rollercoaster ride that this play, its cast and most of all Pasquale as Frank Spencer will take you on.
And, my goodness, what a rollercoaster ride it is! I simply cannot imagine any other person being able to pull off the role of Frank Spencer in the way that Pasquale has. In the same way that Michael Crawford brought a lot of himself into the role of Frank for the tv series, Pasquale has done exactly the same with his interpretation. And it works. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with it all as the action happens so quickly but that’s Joe and I doff my cap to the other cast members who keep going. The humour is also very reminiscent of that time which may not appeal, perhaps, to a younger audience. However, this is certainly a hard working and extremely tight cast who have perfected not only every line but every move too.
Sarah Earnshaw, again not doing an impression of Michelle Dotrice, but making Betty her own is wonderfully appealing. Her and Pasquale clearly work very well together and she also has great comic timing. Some of her facial expressions alone had the audience in stitches. Her reactions to Frank are fabulous, in particular at one point when he tells her that they could be married for another 40 years to come!
Moray Treadwell, David Shaw-Parker and Chris Kiely provide great support and also have their work cut out, especially when Pasquale is literally right in their faces but it is Susie Blake as Betty’s mother, Barbara, who almost steals every scene she is in with a fabulous performance as the disapproving mother-in-law and the only one enjoying, a little too much of Frank’s homemade prune wine.
The premise of the story is that, in typical sitcom fashion, Betty is pregnant and is trying to find a good time to tell Frank. Everyone but Frank seems to know. Frank, in the meantime, is hell bent on trying to impress a talent scout from the BBC with his magic show in-between his numerous attempts at doing DIY in the house.
Talking of the house, Simon Higlett has done the most outstanding job on designing this set with one after another of DIY disasters to befall it - truly award winning. I loved Frank's turntable which only played when you stamp the floor but played some cracking 70s tunes. I also enjoyed the little dance routine teasers which were randomly inserted into the action, including the curtain call.
The star of the show is, of course, Joe Pasquale as Frank. The show may seem a little too full on at times with its relentlessness - sometimes you just need to stop and digest what’s just happened before the next onslaught, but, as I mentioned, this show is a real rollercoaster ride and the Southend audience on press night were enjoying every dip and turn - right up to the loop the loop finale.
There are a few tickets still available throughout the week but check with the box office (01702 351135) before you come or go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk
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