The English Touring Theatre presents the RSC’s production of Thomas Middleton’s Jacobean comedy updated to the sleazy streets of Soho in the 1950s and in the process none of its hilarious bawdy wit is lost. I felt that Middleton himself would have still been able to raise a chuckle at the innuendo, rumbustious couplings, hearty appetites and devious doings taking place all in the rather clever confines of a small set.
To the backing of a live jazz band with a great singer (Linda John-Pierre), the tale is told of a wily nephew who is a perfect cad hell bent on fleecing his generous uncle for whatever he can get, a jealous husband, a scheming pimp and prostitute, and many more, all with impossible names which often give a clue to their character. Dick Follywit, Mrs Littledick, Sir Bounteous Peersucker, and Spunky, the last being a doddery butler but I didn’t quite get the connection with that!
There are sexual high jinks, double entendre by the score, and if you can’t keep up with the Jacobean dialogue, plenty of visual comedy to entertain and amuse. It’s a fast pace production with a very busy schedule that hardly leaves time for you to draw breath or get ready for the next laugh.
Ellie Beaven is perfect as the less than virtuous Mrs Littledick, and Sarah Ridgeway as Truly Kidman, the happy hooker, had me in stiches with the rather scatological scene at her supposed sickbed. Joe Bannister plays Dick Follywit, just as the name suggests and he is possessed of splendid comic timing as well as a gift for slapstick : the scene where he leads the burglary of his uncle’s house complete with stocking mask is priceless. Man of the moment in this though is Ian Redford as Sir Bounteous Peersucker, the aged uncle still chasing the ladies in an age before Viagra was invented and he had only his special tincture to rely on. He was fabulous even managing a spot of gravitas when clad only in vest and pants with a dog lead dangling from his neck (don’t ask….).
We really enjoyed it and all the cast are superbly talented. It is near the knuckle but that’s the 16th Century for you, warts and all!
Jacquie Vowles