Review: LEADING LADIES at ARTS Theatre

Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Thursday 3rd November 2016

Ken Ludwig is best known for his play, Lend Me a Tenor, but this lesser known work, Leading Ladies, is the Therry Dramatic Society's final offering for the year and it proved a huge hit with the opening night audience. Director, Jude Hines, has assembled a terrific cast and runs this farce, as it should be, at a blistering pace. It is clear that she understands the genre well.

Jack Gable and Leo Clark are British Shakespearean actors touring rural Pennsylvania in 1958 presenting excerpts from the Bard's plays to the Amish communities. It is not going well, and their disastrous performance at a Moose Lodge in Shrewsbury leaves them despondent and broke. Then, they hear of an old woman on her death bed, Florence, who is seeking her two nephews to leave them her fortune. They decide to pose as the nephews but discover that there is a small problem; it is actually two nieces that are being sought. Not wanting to let the money slip through their fingers, they are left with only one option, to present themselves in drag as Maxine and Stephanie. Things get complicated when Leo falls for the old lady's niece, Margaret (Meg) Snider, who is engaged to the local minister, Duncan Wooley, who also has eyes on her potential fortune. Jack falls for Audrey who might be possibly, more or less, going out with Butch, the son of Florence's inept doctor, Doctor Myers.

Patrick Clements is Leo Clark and Jock Dunbar is Jack Gable (Clark Gable, get it?), the two actors at the ends of their tethers. Leo is the more dominant of the two and, having read in the newspaper of the old lady's search, devices the plan to defraud her, badgering Jack into joining him, much against Jack's better judgement. Clements exhibits all of the strength of will that the role of Leo demands, seeping aside Dunbar's feeble attempts to dissuade him, in the character of Jack. It is in the drag roles, though, that the laughs come thick and fast, with Leo/Maxine trying to hold it all together as Jack/Stephanie panics every time they seem to be about to be exposed.

The first person they meet, who informs them that it is nieces being sought, not nephews, is the roller skating air-head, Audrey, a gift of a role that Mollie Mooney grabs with both hands and throws herself into with enthusiasm. She displays a superb gift for comedy and has the audience in stitches.

The other love interest, Meg, is played by Laura Antoniazzi, adding another fine performance to her list of successes in numerous genres. Her versatility is a great asset. Here, she is in her biggest role to date, seldom offstage, and gathering plenty of laughs in the role.

The very experienced performer, Steve Marvanek, is Duncan Wooley, the minister with plans for the fortune that he expects to have at his disposal after he marries Meg. Marvanek's characterisation is skilfully constructed and it is fun to watch as the minister's pomposity turns to obnoxiousness as he sees the money and marriage slipping through his hands, as Maxine attempts to steer Meg towards Leo.

Tim Blackshaw is great value as the totally hopeless Doctor Myers, as surprised as anybody to find Florence alive after having proclaimed her deceased. Aled Proeve plays his son, Butch, who seems no more use than his father, a small role made good use of by a keen performer, as well as a smaller role as a Moose (lodge member), Frank.

Then there is Penni Hamilton-Smith, hilariously portraying the larger than life character of Florence, pushing the role to its limits and more than pleasing her many fans in the audience, who laughed like crazy. She is always a welcome face in a production.

Stanley Tuck's elaborate set, nicely lit by Richard Parkhill, looks classy and is used to great advantage by Jude Hines. There is even a chance for the cast to show their moves in a tango number, choreographed by Rose Vallen.

If you need a laugh, and who doesn't, book tickets for this now as it only runs until next Saturday, the 12th November. You won't be disappointed.

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