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Intimate and
atmospheric, The Menier Chocolate Factory in Southwark is
the ideal venue for Victoria Wood’s play Talent, perfectly
creating the illusion of Bunter’s Niteclub, a rather seedy
workingman’s entertainment spot ostensibly situated in
Manchester. The story centres on Julie, a wannabee cabaret
singer with a cupboard full of skeletons and her larger
than life friend Maureen as they wait backstage at the
club to take part in what they expect to be a life
changing talent contest.
Finding
themselves thrust into the midst of amateur turns while
staving off the sexually harassing advances of the
unscrupulous compere as he offers the talent spotters
equivalent of the casting couch, the girls have to decide
whether their destiny really is in the stars! Originally
scripted and set in the late 1970’s by Wood, this play has
her hallmark stamped through every phrase from the
wonderfully witty one liners to the random observations on
life which have become so much her trademark. Directed by
the author herself, this latest revival has been extended
to incorporate additional songs and parodies re
establishing the era and giving rise to a hysterical
opening sequence in which cast members including Jeff,
form a seventies pop group Triple Velvet.
Dressed as
the name implies in bright blue velour suits, matching
platform shoes and vibrant yellow shirts complete with
retro ruffles, the effect of the ensemble is greatly added
to by what can only be described as’ hair creations’ and
sees Jeff bearing an uncanny resemblance to a young
Jonathan Ross. The transformation to George Findlay, an
endearing but none the less talent less magician, inspires
a delightfully played gentle yet enthusiastic portrayal,
combining comedy with subtle undertones of mimicry,
greatly enhancing the depth of character.
Mark Hadfield
as his hapless and unlikely assistant Arthur, provides
much amusement but is at his best earlier in drag, as the
deadpan and long suffering club manageress steering her
way through the challenging pitfalls of table planning.
Suzie
Toase in the role of Maureen, originally played by
Victoria Wood, supplies several show stopping moments
while Leanne Rowe creates a highly creditable account of
Julie, the secretary desperate for fame and fortune in the
world of showbiz. The same can be said of Mark Curry as
the sleazy club compere and Eugene O’Hare in the form of
Mel, Julie’s ex boyfriend, bringing an unexpected blast
from the past. Although short, this early work, which won
Wood the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising
Playwright in 1979, superbly blends humour and poignancy
resulting in warmth and reassuring sense of comfort
derived only from the knowledge that true comedy is always
funny no matter when it was written. |
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