Adapted from a Thomas Middleton play written in 1605, Director Sean Foley has based this comedy in 1950s London, which is a perfect setting for a filthy, hilarious comedy about sex and money, with plenty of innuendo, and double (and single) entendres.
Dick Follywit decides to con his rich uncle Bounteous Peersucker out of his fortune by playing a Lord, a prostitute and an actor, while in a parallel storyline, Mr Penitent Brothel is madly in love with Mrs Littledick, but her husband’s paranoia about her fidelity prevents them from being together. Tying both stories together is prostitute Truly Kidman, who poses as a nun in order to become friends with Mrs Littledick and help her meet Mr Brothel in secret.
The action was fast and snappy, and the stage looked wonderful – colourful, glamorous and seedy, and the musical numbers, sung by jazz singer Linda John-Pierre (what an amazing voice!) were wonderful.
The cast were all terrific in their performances, and it’s hard not to imagine that they were having as wonderful a time as the audience. Richard Goulding and John Hopkins (both of whom were so good in Titus Andronicus, this season, also at the Swan Theatre) could not have been better as respectively, Dick Follywit and Penitent Brothel. Ian Redford was a joy as Sir Bounteous Peersucker, and the two main female roles, Mrs Littledick and Truly Kidman, played by Ellie Beaven and Sarah Ridgeway, were excellent. The smaller supporting characters also added to the fun (the audience loved Richard Durden’s portrayal of doddery butler Spunky).
There were lots of scene changes, which were seamlessly done, and as well as lots (LOTS!) of very funny lines, there was also plenty of cleverly done physical comedy. The whole audience seemed to love this show, and honestly, I think it would be hard not to be drawn in and have a good time. I came out with a huge smile on my face, with my only regret being that I did not have tickets for subsequent performances! This play should be mandatory viewing for anyone who needs a good belly laugh. Simply wonderful.
(For more information about the Royal Shakespeare Company, or this production, please click here.)
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Click here for my review of the English Touring Theatre’s production of this play in 2015.
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