It’s not easy to review a production of this comedy thriller by the renowned Anthony Shaffer without giving too much away about the plot and spoiling everything for those who might see the play in the future. But here goes …..
This seemed a fine choice for Nomads stalwart and comedy specialist actor Andrew Hamel-Cooke to direct. His sense of comic timing and laugh-wringing appears to have been taken up by the entire cast as they threw themselves into the action, honed and hammy accents to the fore. None more so than the ever-reliable Richard Peachey, the actor who harvested empathy In Mr Polly, laughter in ‘ ‘Allo Allo and here the hissing displeasure of the audience as his widespread blackmail manoeuvres garnered the horror and fear of the characters - indeed when this work opened in Guildford in the late 70′s it was titled The Case of the Oily Levantine so in a sense his was the title role. When it played later in New York and to much acclaim the play had been rebadged with its present name.
Not just unctuous in delivery, Peachey affected a sustained and malevolent celebratory style that would of course lead to our murder.. The cast here were uniformly on the ball - Wilf Hashimi as The Butler tottering around with heightened resignation, Paul Bungard as a dubious Rear Admiral with plenty to hide, Paul Le Blanc Smith as an odious upper-class rotter exuding non-PC phrases with abandon, Charles Hamel-Cooke as the host of the soiree managing to look like an unholy blend of Nick Ferrari, Boris Johnson and John Bercow and delivering his lines with the perfect dash of confusion at what was unfolding, then Anthony Kemp and Phil Wilcox managing a knowing twist on the traditional ‘tec & pc pairing, emphasising the tinge of heady surrealism with which the main investigator imbues his deliberations to his West Country and somewhat unsophisticated colleague. No less impressive were the female cast members, Jane Wilcox as a veteran archaeologist and revelling in her robust and pally commentary, Amanda Leader laying on the RichList ennui so heavily she could walk into a part on the over-egged pudding that is TV’s ‘DownTurn Abbey’ plus Karen Gray as a deliciously credible vamp, her exchanges with Peachey being a show highlight.
By the end of Act One, the audience is probably fairly comfortably weighing up the homicide contenders ..of course the wicked Shaffer is having none of it and delivers a Billingsgate cartload of red herrings, much in the practised manner of a sadistic cryptic crossword compiler. This means the audience have to re-assess everything and the depth of the whole evening is quadrupled. A fine ploy and the laughs get louder as we all realise what is being done to our psyches. With a directing pace that sacrificed no laughs to its crisp edge, this thriller enthralled and amused - aided of course by the impressive set and staging courtesy of the legendary Tuesday Crew and their leaders and the tidy music, sound and lighting touches that Nomads productions spoil their audiences with every time a show is put together Probably the whole spirited production benefited from a mixture of performing faces old and new to the venue and yet again to see this quality of performance without a trek to the West End is a treat
Pete Sargeant
ANOTHER ONE
Review WHODUNNIT Nomad Theatre November 2013 by ‘Ben’
A truly descriptive title for Nomad’s latest offering. Apparently a traditional “closed doors” comedy/thriller “My God, it has to be one of us!” but, as one would expect from that excellent playwright, Anthony Shaffer, author of ‘Sleuth’ amongst others, there is something below the surface. Under its original title ‘The Case of the Oily Levantine’, this play was originally produced at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in 1977.
An unctuous and unrecognisable female voice introduced the audience to the setting before the curtain rose and periodically would interrupt the action while the stage action froze to drop a few more mysterious clues. When the curtain did rise we were presented with a beautiful country house library setting filled with bookcases and poky hidey holes. Anyone entering the auditorium half way through Act One might have wondered what they had let themselves in for – a bunch of extraordinary stock characters – the crumbling. alcoholic butler, irresistibly reminding one of Stefano in The Tempest (an excellent Wilf Hashimi) surreptiously helping himself to the extensively stocked drinks cabinet and proffering a dangerous “Whammee Slammer” cocktail to every guest; the unctuous host (Charles Hamel-Cooke); bombastic Rear Admiral ( Paul Bungard); the ever-so aristocratic Lady (Amanda Leader); dolly-bird (Karen Gray) – all incidentally welcome newcomers to the Nomad Stage-on the arm of the too-smooth lothario (Paul Le Blanc Smith); very eccentric, near-sighted, archaeologist (Jane Wilcox –also excellent); all potential victims of the omniscient blackmailer, the Oily Levantine himself (Richard Peachey), having the time of his life doing an Hercule Poirot impression and ultimately losing his head (literally).
The cast delivering lines straight at the audience, waving arms around, over-reacting, making unnecessary moves; we were in the depths of all that used to be wrong with the amateur stage – and sometimes still is.
But all was revealed in Act Two when we learned that everyone on stage was an actor, for the most part in the lower reaches of the profession, hired to enact a mise-en-scene. But by whom? And why?
Enter the CID man (Anthony Kemp) who further complicated matters by deciding to investigate in the role of G.K. Chesterton’s fictional detective, Doctor Fell, complete with broad-brimmed hat, cloak and stick, accompanied by the uniformed. West Country police sergeant (Phil Wilcox, going gloriously over the top)
Director Hamel-Cooke, in his first production for Nomads, displayed his experience and a sure hand in ensuring that the action never got out of hand and was directed to the final denouement. Despite the “voice-over” clues there was, as to be expected with the author, a twist in the tale. As the detective finally revealed –The Butler did it!
This is just what the doctor ordered and just what the Nomad audience (good on most nights) wanted. Congratulations to the whole team- acting, direction, setting, lighting. costumes, props and sound were perfectly in character.
AND ONE MORE
NOMADS “Whodunnit” 22nd November, 2013
At the outset I must state that Whodunnit, the NOMADS’ challenging production was one of the most enjoyable evenings I have ever been privileged to attend. The production was beautifully stylised and set in an English country manor in the 1930s. Great attention to detail was observed on the extremely realistic set designed by Andrew Hamel-Cooke, Amy Stringer and David Martin, with a dedicated and talented construction team.
Costumes were appropriate to the period, which is so vital in this style of play. Jenny Hasted with Jennie and Yvonne Hamel-Cooke took great pains to ensure every detail was spot-on. Jennie also provided the props with equal care. Lighting was throughout skilfully provided by Charles Hope, as was sound by Clive Vinall.
The Cast
Archibald Perkins (The Butler who actually dunnit) was quite superbly played by Wilf Hashimi. His portrayal was, quite simply, a delight.
Andreas Capodistriou (An Oily Levantine) was played with creepy intensity and immaculate timing by Richard Peachey. His use of the phrase “I am in the latter category” provoked much merriment in the audience.
Silas Baseby (A Respectable Family Lawyer) as the host of the house party was played by a suitably perplexed Charles Hamel-Cooke.
Rear-Admiral Knatchbull Folliat (An Old Sea Dog) “Harrumphed” beautifully throughout by Paul Bungard
Lady Tremurrain (A Dotty Aristocrat) was given life and upper class angst by Amanda Leader
Lavinia Hargreaves (A sweet Young Thing) and Roger Dashwell (A Black Sheep) Karen Gray and Paul Le Blanc Smith both did well in their parts.
Dame Edith Runcible (An Eccentric Archaeologist) was acted a la Margaret Rutherford with real assurance by Jane Wilcox making her debut in a play.
Inspector Bowden (An Unconventional Yard Detective) - Anthony Kemp was assured and convincing.
Sergeant (A Solid Copper) Phil Wilcox - humorously played with a convincing country accent.
All the actors performed their roles with assurance and were believable in their dual characters. The “reveal” in act 2 when we discovered that all was not what it seemed, was neatly and effectively carried out. All the characters were revealed to be actors - well, they certainly were, and very good ones at that.
Producer Jenny Hasted and, in particular director Andrew Hamel-Cooke can and should be extremely proud of this polished and, in many ways, professional production.
I should like to see NODA membership mentioned in the programme on my next visit to NOMADS and the lovely Nomad Theatre.
Finally, may I say a very big thank you for the warm welcome Sue and I received prior to the show. Take a bow NOMADS.
Jon