“When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth“ G B Shaw ( 1856 – 1950 )
Albeit this reviewers preconceived ideas of live theatre were as apprehensive as a childs Christmas visit to the proverbial Aunt that leaves lipstick on his cheeks. They soon disappeared within 5 minutes of the Exchange theatres showing of the George Bernard Shaws Widowers Houses. Set in an age of top hats and tails, women in bustles with fans, this 1892 comedy soon showed that social humour is current no matter when penned. From the ranting of ugly brits abroad to disgruntled ex-employees, Shaw in this, his first staged play in December 1892 at the Royalty Theatre, shows hypocrisy in this comedy of manners. Shaw himself described it as ” Unpleasant and polemical”.
I sat with a near capacity audience that laughed and chuckled from start to finish, mesmerised by the six-cast members interpretation of Mr Shaw’s craft.
Roger Lloyd Pack as Mr Sartorius, Ian Shaw as William de Burgh Cokane, Ben Addis as Harry Trench, Lucy Briggs Owen as Blanche Sartorius, Ian Bartholomew as Lickcheese and Vanessa-Faye Stanley as The Parlour maid
With a simple plot – Boy with morals meets girl with farther that has no morals – the aforementioned super six kept my attention for 2 hours. Harry Tench ( Doctor ) wrestled with himself over Mr Satorius ( Slumlord ) and his monetary wrong doings at the cost of the love from Blanche Sartorius ( The pretty girl ), William de Burgh Cokane ( Billy the side kick ) constantly showing a flair for stating the obvious in his humorous attempts to get Harry to show and use his social stature. Lickcheese (Mr Sartorius’s lowly employee) was the passionate whistle blower of his employer’s empire. The Parlour maid captivated her comedy role at every turn as the downtrodden servant, repeatedly bullied by Blanch.
This comedy team not only brought belly chuckles to my portly stature but the desire to spend more time with live theatre.
Bravo Mr Shaw, Bravo the Super Six, Bravo the Royal Exchange
Alan Dodd
