| Goon Bandage by Helen Griffin & Christian Patterson |
| First presented in 2007 by Taliesin Arts Centre |
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cast size:1
synopsis: Goon Bandage: An Evening with Harry Secombe touring Wales throughout October 2007 A new play explores the life of one of Wales favourite sons. |
There is 1 review of Taliesin Arts Centre's Goon Bandage in our database:
| Magnificent from first to last | |
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Goon Bandage
by Helen Griffin & Christian Patterson
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[print] |
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venue Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea |
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October 5, 2007 |
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| When Helen Griffin and Christian Patterson set out to write a play about one of Wales’ favourite sons, their choice of Secombe could not have been more timely to be brought into the limelight. Though Secombe always shone brightly, it’s the other Goons, particularly Spike Milligan, on whom the focus has been. Having played Harry in “Ying Tong”, Roy Smiles’ play about Spike, there was no one more suitable to bring Harry to life than Swansea-born, Christian Patterson. Patterson has studied Secombe’s every quirk to perfection, creating a fantastic mimicry of the comic genius. Perhaps there was not the strength of Secombe’s rich singing voice there, but Patterson was so much the embodiment of Secombe, it was often hard to believe it wasn’t the original “Goon bandage” on stage. There’s something magical about a backstage dressing room, and Alex Robertson’s set was nothing less than enchanting. Minimalist yet striking, Robertson’s set made efficient use of space. Stark representations of furniture with missing and disjointed pieces were complimented by Ceri James’ lighting. Three areas denoted the different aspects of Secombe’s life – the dressing room as his personal life, the red curtain as his life on stage, and the bed where he visits his life-long friend, Milligan. While awaiting his call to the stage, Harry takes us on the journey of his life, through jokes like, “You are wearing your golfing shoes Sir – you’ve got a hole in one”, to more sentimental memories; “Marriage is a lottery and I picked a winning ticket”. The writing boasts the perfect blend of light and dark, with impeccable judgment for the timing of comedy or pathos. Secombe’s ability to remain grounded amongst the madness was a huge part of his appeal and Patterson really brought out that kind, lovable character. Patterson attained an impressive rapport with the audience that matched how Secombe interacted with people in his standup acts; often stepping out of the script, much to the delight of everyone. The friendship of Secombe and Milligan is carefully handled in some very perceptive, touching writing. Director Phil Clark creates wonderfully poignant scenes out of Secombe’s selfless love for Milligan. “Goon Bandage” is magnificent from Secombe’s first raspberry blown to the last. An irrefutably moving piece of theatre, it sweeps the audience along in its every high and low. Recalling a speech at Peter Sellers’ funeral where mourners were requested to turn away from him so he might rest, Secombe questions whether people would turn away from him when his time came. But with this memorable production honouring his memory, it is clear this will never happen. |
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| reviewer: Ella-Louise Gilbert |
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