At Frapetsus |
| Frapetsus Productions- Bred In Heaven , Swansea Grand Theatre , September 14, 2011 |
BBC Wales' cult TV comedy drama Grand Slam, originally screened in 1978 and justifiably loved by Welsh rugby enthusiasts ever since, provides the inspirational springboard for this 21st century stage sequel, in which the irrepressibly camp character Maldwyn Novello Pugh - played to enormous effect by Sion Probert, whose seemingly befuddled portrayal of the character belies a fabulous sense of comic timing and a genuine rapport with an audience - finds himself at the centre of a Heaven-sent plan to ensure that the Welsh team emerges victoriously from the Rugby World Cup tournament in New Zealand.This timely crowd-pleaser from Frapetsus Productions, written by Jack Llewellyn who also appears in this splendidly lively piece of theatre as Dylan Davies, is directed by Michael Bogdanov, perhaps best known to audiences for his acclaimed work on classic Shakespearean productions and for his championing of quality theatre across the globe, particularly in Germany where his work is much admired. On the face of it, to associate Mr Bogdanov with a rollicking sitcom-style comedy requires a leap of the imagination, but it is fair to say that the director's trademark ability to think on his feet and connect with his cast scores dividends here. It is clear from the outset that he does indeed have a sense of humour(and quite a mischievous one at that)and that the efforts of a first rate cast do much to reinforce the effectiveness of the play. The strength of any piece of theatre relies upon the stage presence, energy and charisma of the cast, and we are blessed here to have not only Messrs Probert and Llewellyn in prominent roles but also names gleaned from a variety of genres calculated to appeal to the widest audience possible. Ieuan Rhys - a heavyweight performer in every sense of the word, whose gravitas has graced many a Bogdanov production as well as TV shows including Pobol y Cwm and Doctor Who - is a hoot from first to last as Bryn Thomas, whose friendship with Mike Davies(portrayed by Russell Gomer, an excellent actor with a vocal delivery not a million miles removed from Richard Burton)leads them to hatch a plan to head to New Zealand to watch Wales in the World Cup whilst keeping the whole thing a secret from Mike's wife Beryl(a wonderful and well-judged tour de force from Di Botcher, whose strength of character and straight-from-the-hip delivery has enlivened everything from Belonging and High Hopes right through to TV ads for the Post Office). Add to all this a bit of eye candy for the girls in the shape of talented actor Tom McLeod as Bryn's son Gethin, and a distaff equivalent in the form of Katie Elizabeth-Payne in a variety of roles - chief amongst which is that of Carys, the local barmaid, although she does perform a series of beautifully observed comic vignettes utilising a range of regional accents(the New Zealand delivery is a knockout) - and you have a show which is guaranteed to pack in the punters during its current tour. The sharp-eyed amongst you may have spotted that I have not detailed the plot. Suffice to say that the assembled characters, led by Maldwyn(who believes himself to have been visited by God)join forces to ensure that the Welsh team will gain victoy by hook or by crook - mostly crook. And all this while trying to convince Beryl that she is in New Zealand to enjoy an idyllic, rugby-free holiday with her loving husband. Packed with great characters, clever one-liners and Carry On-style humour with the odd touch of farce, Bred in Heaven ends its run at Swansea Grand Theatre tonight before touring to CARDIGAN (16th - 17th September), ABERYSTWYTH (19th September), MILFORD HAVEN (20th - 21st September), BUILTH WELLS (22nd - 23rd September), CARMARTHEN (24th September), COLWYN BAY (26th September), CAERNARFON (27th September) and CARDIFF (28th September - 1st October). Definitely a must-see. |
Reviewed by: Graham Williams |
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