Review of At the Torch from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site

At the Torch

Torch Theatre, Milford Haven- Dead Funny , Torch Theatre , October 12, 2005

Western Telegraph Review – Fiona Phillips (Editor)

Rarely does a theatrical performance offer something to satisfy aficionados of almost every genre – but when it does it has to be the ‘must see’ of the season. Director Peter Doran has gained a reputation for offering Torch Theatre audiences plays with ‘added value’ and Dead Funny is a classic example.

Whether you view it as a painful dissection of a 20th Century marriage or a homage to the old-style comics who made their names in Music Hall, there really is something to appeal to every theatre-goer. A small cast – five in total, gave finely honed performances as the characters were brought together through a shared love of comedy, and easily switched between tragedy, pathos and knockabout gags.

It’s a kind of Abigail’s Party with slapstick, and the peeling away of the layers of a crumbling marriage are exquisitely painful to witness. But the fabulous comedic turns, particularly impressions by Liam Tobin (Nick) provide the perfect foil to the misery.

The programme warns that the play has an adult theme, with swearing and nudity, but in 2005 – the era of being non-offensive – the most eyebrow raising thing was the smuttiness of the jokes reproduced from the repertoires of comics famous 50 years ago – one particular Max Miller gag had some politically correct viewers choking on their organic chocolate!

Celebrity-watchers will have recognised Richard Nichols, who played the appalling Richard, a gynaecologist who doesn’t like women, from his portrayal as Keith in the BBC Wales six nations’ rugby ads. If you didn’t recognise his face, his voice gave nothing away, with a perfect English accent to match a flawless performance.

Rebecca Wingate, extracting every nuance of this miserable woman’s life, brought his wife, the spiky Elenor, to life. Nick, the secondary school teacher, who has an unhealthy interest in schoolgirls, gave Liam Tobin a chance to show off his excellent impressionist skills, but he also demonstrated a fine, understated approach to tragedy.

His wife, the airhead Lisa, was played by Lynne Seymour, who like her co-stars demonstrated the fine grasp of timing required to pay homage to the slapstick and Whitehall farce style of comedic performance. But it was Ken Oxtoby, who beautifully portrayed the camp-but-wise Brian, who provided the glue that stuck these disparate characters together.

As ever the production was only enhanced by a brilliant set designed by Torch regular Sean Crowley.

Reviewed by: Fiona Phillips

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At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (14 May 2011)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (15 December 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (11 October 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (19 August 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (13 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (07 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (04 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (26 April 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (12 December 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (05 April 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (04 December 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (25 October 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (20 July 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters, The Stage (16 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (12 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Terry Johnson, The Stage (15 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Simon Carr. Western Telegraph (09 December 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (23 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Emma Jones, Western Telegraph (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Walters, Milford Mercury (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Graham Williams (10 March 2004)
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At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (10 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (06 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jenny Hanson, Tenby Observer (05 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (31 January 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by JENNY HANSON (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Assorted Edinburgh papers (02 August 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (26 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvet (28 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (21 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Andrews Davies (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by MILFORD & WEST WALES MERCURY (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Keith Johnson, Western Telegaph (13 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tenby Observer (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, Milford Mercury (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Janet Bott (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (05 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (26 October 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (11 September 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (09 August 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victoria Cooper (10 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Elaine Atack (03 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvett (28 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (The Stage) (15 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (14 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (21 October 2000)

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