This sparkling production is a real all round treat with a superb cast, opulent set, great costumes and above all it’s a laugh a minute. Brandon Thomas’s play written in 1890 tells of two Oxford undergraduates, Charley Wykeham and Jack Chesney who although in essence are penniless, live a high life fuelled by champagne and excess; nevertheless they are both in love and in hot pursuit of the damsels of their dreams. They have rooms adjoining that of the impossibly named Lord Fancourt Babberley and it is he that they draw into a crazy plan to allow them to entertain the two young ladies in order to propose to them.
Charley’s Aunt of the title, is a wealthy widow living in Brazil going by the title of Donna Lucia D’Alvadorez; and is expected on a visit which means she could act as a chaperon whilst the young ladies are entertained to tea. She is delayed and this is where the crazy plan comes into action!
Charles Kay as Brassett the bent and elderly college servant of Chesney illustrates the myriad duties expected of the much put upon serving classes in those days but craftily turns the tables by somewhat running his own agenda which causes amusement.
Matthew Horne plays Lord Fancourt Babberley (Babbs to his friends) who is coerced into a piece of monstrous cross-dressing to impersonate Charley’s Aunt. Matthew Horne is an incredibly versatile actor and makes a wonderful job of this dual role, from the rather camp and foppish Lord FB to the flouncy and for good reason, jittery Aunt, he produces tear-stained laughter all round.
Steven Pacey as Col. Sir Francis Chesney (Jack’s father), cuts a dash as the "old soldier" imbibing Dutch courage by the glassful in order to shore up the family fortunes by proposing to Charley’s Aunt which was very funny, and his rival in the lady’s affections, Stephen Spettigue played by Norman Pace with great comedic timing.
Dominic Tighe and Benjamin Askew as Jack Chesney and Charley Wykeham make adoring suitors for the two young ladies, Kitty Verdun and Amy Spettigue played with innocent beauty by Leah Whitaker and Ellie Beaven. The inimitable Jane Asher plays Charley’s real aunt, Donna Lucia, with her usual grace and elegance, and adds a touch of reality to the farcical proceedings.
This is a romp with boundless energy through farce, slapstick, comedy and at times some pathos, the excellent cast are faultless and we really enjoyed the performance - as a cracking evening out I can think of nothing better!
Jacquie Vowles