The Other Theatre Company took on quite a challenge with their Spring production of ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’. Anyone that has ever performed anything by Sondheim can vouch for the difficult standard, especially when you’re a small theatre company in the middle of rural Cheshire. However, despite the challenges it provided, The Other Theatre Company pulled it off to a high standard. The theatre provided an intimate relationship with the actors who performed in the round. The set was simplistic yet effective and was efficiently used throughout the performance. Although massively scaled back from the original orchestration, the band (Piano, Violin and Percussion) worked effectively, especially with the space constraints of the venue. Lighting and sound was of a high quality, as too were the costumes and props. Harry Kennedy played the lead role of Pseudolus, a slave who wants nothing more than his freedom, with a magnificent comical approach. He performed each of his tricky songs with a great mount of gusto and enthusiasm. Hero, his master, was played by Edward Lawton, who performed exceptionally in this role. He will go far in the future. His parents Senex (Bill Platt) and Domina (Sarah Sherwood) both played their roles perfectly, Sarah’s performance of ‘That Dirty Old Man’ was one of the highlights of the show, whilst Bill’s comic timing was superb leaving the audience in hysterics. The same can be said for Roger Barlow (Hysterium, the slave of Senex), I especially enjoyed his appearance as Philia at the end of Act 2. Philia (Ceri Clarke) played the role very professionally and with a great deal of modesty, however she could have done with projecting a little more so we could hear her lovely voice. Mike Finnigan added an individual sense of comedy to the role of Marcus Lycus, having the audience fall about laughing for his leper scenes. The role of Miles Gloriosus was prominently taken by Jon White. His deep booming voice and huge presence were suited perfectly to this role and even scared the audience! Bob Almquist played the role of Erronius with dedication (I especially admire his very fast quick changes!). The chorus of Courtesans (Paula Keen, Annie Lamb, Anne-Marie Lonsdale and Hattie Lonsdale) all played their roles with complete dedication I would especially like to mention the exquisite dancing from Hattie Lonsdale. The chorus of Soldiers (Tom Lloyd, Jonathan Rees and Bob Almquist) played their role with more than enough comedy, proving that no matter a part may seem, the part is as big as you make it, and here they made it very big indeed. The odd slip up on lines went by the wayside, proving by the audiences’ response to the performance, some of whom never stopped laughing throughout. I would like to thank The Other Theatre Company for a lovely night’s entertainment.
Until next time.
For more information about this production, please see our Past Productions page for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.