Wisbech Standard 4 Nov 2005

Sauciness and sexiness on stage

 

If a saucy, sexy scenario is to your theatrical taste, then wend your way to Wisbech’s Angles Theatre for its in-house production of A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To The Forum.

Based on the dialogue and plots by Roman playwright Plautus, this Stephen Sondheim musical, redolent of the hit TV series Up Pompeii, is a right randy riot.

Nevertheless, this RATz production, directed by Kevin Shippey, with choreography by Cynthia Maxey and musical direction by Sarah Edwards, has much artistic merit. The action moves along like a well-oiled chariot and the comedy, though not hilarious, makes for an entertaining ‘chuckler’.

The trompe l’oeil, split level set is well designed and the colourful costumes are very eye-catching. The choreography is delightfully co-ordinated and aesthetic and the choral singing is projected with gusto. The musical ensemble is unobtrusive and well-synchronised.

Kevin Shippey gives an energetic, but larynx straining, performance (with shades of Frankie Howard) as Pseudolus and Emlyn Moment’s brisk movement and superb timing as Hysterium is full of merit.

Andy Maxey’s cameo role as Senex is a joy, as is Michele Larkin as his wife Domina. Paul Mayer enjoys playing the bumbling pimp Lycus. And, the glamorous courtesans, Laura-Jayne Shippey, Cynthia Maxey, Stef Roe, Rachel Shepherd, Rebecca Key, Samantha Rose and Nicola Key bring an erotic flavour to the proceedings.

Best performance, however, and most toneful and tuneful singing, comes from Ashley Elsey as Hero.

 

Rex Mountain

 

 

 

 

Peterborough Evening Telegraph 3 Nov 2005

A marvellous mixture of mischief, mishaps and mayhem

 

“A marvellous mixture of mischief, mishaps, mistaken identities and mayhem …” promises director Kevin Shippey in the programme notes.

And he proceeds to deliver them all, in the lead role of crafty slave Pseudolus in this wild romp of a Sondheim musical, set in ancient Rome.

His larger-than-life personality and powerful voice drives the hectic pace from scene one. Is the cast waiting in the wings? Not a bit of it! Headed by a quartet of zany male “flexible” slaves, they emerge from a trapdoor, centre stage: Hen-pecked senator Senex (Andy Maxey), horrendous wife Domina (Michele Larkin) and chaotic household.

Chief slave Hysterium has the task of guarding the morals of innocent son Hero (Ashley Elsey) from the temptations of the bordello next door. But it’s too late, he’s already fallen for brainless, beautiful virgin Philia (Samantha Rose). Emlyn Moment camps it up for all he’s worth as the panic stricken Hysterium, vainly trying to prevent wily Pseudolus from getting the lovers together.

And what temptations! A bevy of dazzling courtesans deliver stunning performances, led by principal dancers Vibrata and Tintinabula (Laura-Jayne Shippey and Stef Roe) their sinuous performances of Cynthia Maxey’s fluid choreography evident in every body-line and lift, supported by the ever flexible slaves. Even the hefty macho centurion Miles Gloriosus gets borne triumphantly aloft later in the show.

This witty musical is sheer fun.

 

Ann Johnson