David Jobling
REVIEW | Alarms & Excursions
April 3rd 2000 20:00
ENSEMBLE THEATRE
presents
ALARMS AND EXCURSIONS
more plays than one
by Michael Frayn
Directed by Michael Karaolis
Cast: Marshall Napier, Liz Chance, Brian Meegan & Kate Raison.
This play is promoted as "more plays than one"... umm, well, no - not exactly. It's two short plays and a series of skits. That's okay. Liz Chance has a wonderful little speech to deliver as a Thatcheresque politician depending on the man behind the auto-queue, and failing him miserably. Kate Raison is a woman who is trying to communicate with her husband, mother and back-packing friend via the telephone only to be continuously thwarted by an answering machine that finally blows up. Marshall Napier is a bloke who wants to impress his wife and friends with a cork-screw that is lethal. Brian Meegan is a middle-aged codger who doesn't pick up after himself when he stays in motels, so he falls over his baggage often.
All up these actors do a remarkably good job with fine comic timing and dead-pan mayhem abounding. The production is very funny at times and is worth a viewing if you enjoy medium length skits that mock modern life. The sound scape by John Grimshaw adds some groove and laughs while Tom Bannerman creates one of the most simple yet effective sets seen at The Ensemble for some time. Director and cast all fare well, except those who end up in casualty.
A great giggle, some belly laughs and spot on timing.
DAVID PAUL JOBLING
presents
ALARMS AND EXCURSIONS
more plays than one
by Michael Frayn
Directed by Michael Karaolis
Cast: Marshall Napier, Liz Chance, Brian Meegan & Kate Raison.
This play is promoted as "more plays than one"... umm, well, no - not exactly. It's two short plays and a series of skits. That's okay. Liz Chance has a wonderful little speech to deliver as a Thatcheresque politician depending on the man behind the auto-queue, and failing him miserably. Kate Raison is a woman who is trying to communicate with her husband, mother and back-packing friend via the telephone only to be continuously thwarted by an answering machine that finally blows up. Marshall Napier is a bloke who wants to impress his wife and friends with a cork-screw that is lethal. Brian Meegan is a middle-aged codger who doesn't pick up after himself when he stays in motels, so he falls over his baggage often.
All up these actors do a remarkably good job with fine comic timing and dead-pan mayhem abounding. The production is very funny at times and is worth a viewing if you enjoy medium length skits that mock modern life. The sound scape by John Grimshaw adds some groove and laughs while Tom Bannerman creates one of the most simple yet effective sets seen at The Ensemble for some time. Director and cast all fare well, except those who end up in casualty.
A great giggle, some belly laughs and spot on timing.
DAVID PAUL JOBLING
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