This riotously funny two and a quarter hour show is being presented by the Garrick Theatre Club, and can be seen at the Garrick Theatre, 16 Meadow Street, Guildford. The performances are every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 8.00 pm until Saturday 10^th December. There are matinées on Sunday 27^th November and 4^th December at 2.00 pm.

The scene is the present day, in two nearby London flats.

The stage is divided down the middle. To one side is George and Jessica’s trendy and luxurious flat; complete with white leather couch and contemporary, original paintings on the wall. The other side of the stage is Brian and Hilary’s more staid home, with its unusual wallpaper, a corduroy couch and prints of famous paintings. Designer, Ray Egan has put a great deal of thought into each of the sitting rooms, with many little extra features. He was helped in the construction by Adrian Ashman, Fred Petersen, Owen Davis and Graeme Dick.

The show is stage manged by Graeme Dick and Marion West.

The complex, fast moving script requires slick lighting and sound control – all worked well thanks to Geoff Holt and Mark Owen.

       Middle-aged Brian (Joe Isaia) has the chance of an affair with an attractive young woman, Wendy (Lindsay Cliff), but has nowhere to take her. Thankfully, Brian’s best friend, George (Andrew Govey), comes to the rescue. George’s wife, Jessica (Siobhán Vincent) is away on a work trip in America, and so Brian can use their flat on a Wednesday afternoon whilst George is at his darts match.

     When overweight Brian suggests to his wife, Hilary (Kylie Isaia) that he fancies trying jogging, Hilary is so pleased to see him taking care of himself, that she buys him a bright red track suit for his park runs.

     Brian arrives at George’s flat and finds Wendy, hot and ready – unfortunately, within minutes of his arrival, George’s wife returns home a day early and catches them.

     How will Brian talk his way out of that?

Director, Alice Dale has been part of community theatre, professional theatre and WA TV business for many years. When your brother (Stanley Baxter) was one of the funniest men ever in Scotland, then the genes are bound to help, and not surprisingly Alice’s direction was superb, inventive and slick.

Some of the audience may recall the Whitehall Farces of the 1960s / 70s, with its star philanderer, Brian Rix. Whitehall has always been held as the ultimate producer in farces, and Rix as the best ever, panic stricken lover. This production is the nearest to I have seen to the old days. The script was ingenious, the set superb, the direction perfect and the whole cast unbelievable. The panic stricken faces, the desperate moves, the crouched stance ready to escape, the tremor in the voice – all captured perfectly.

This one of the best structured farces that I have seen. It is fast paced and so takes exceptional actors to carry it off, and that is what we have here – the very best of the best. A must see production.

This two-hour farce is being presented by Harbour Theatre Inc. in the Camelot Theatre, within the Mosman Park Memorial Hall, 16 Lochee Street, Mosman Park. This group has been producing high quality, community theatre productions for more than 50 years. Harbour’s latest success is Katherine Reardon who appeared in Jane Eyre a couple of years ago, and is now appearing with Judy Dench and Kenneth Brannagh in London, many congrats.

The performances are on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at the earlier time of 7.30 sharp, running until 12^th December. There are matinees on Sunday 6^th, 12^th and 13^th at 2.00 pm.

Brian Mahoney’s 1980s set, is of a luxurious, country home sitting room, in a smart area of southern England. As for all farces, there were five doorways to aid with the confusion. The walls are soft apple green with an attractive frieze border. There is an armchair, a three-seater settee, and various tables. French windows with cream curtains central rear, showing a beautiful scene across the lawns (artwork Melissa Bassett). Many very good props (Cordelia Clarke). Smoothly stage managed by Marina Del Borrello.

Trevor Dhu operated Peter Kirkwood and Rob Tagliaferri’s lighting design. The sound effects were realistic and well cued by Vanessa Gudgeon.

       Middle-aged Jane (Vickie Billingham), who is nervous and shy, seems be to losing out on ‘loving attention’ from her husband, Roger (Alan Morris). So, on the suggestion of her best friend Shirley (Ann Speicher), she arranges to have dinner with Mark (Ben Lowther), an attractive young man she met at her squash club.

       Because her husband Gilbert (Jarrod Buttery) is overseas on business, Shirley goes to her yoga class, leaving Jane in her house for the secret assignation. Jane has hot romance in her eyes, but toy boy Mark thinks the meeting is for a simple meal.

     However, a thick fog descends and Gilbert finds himself stranded in London. Knowing that his wife, Shirley, will be away at her keep-fit classes, he invites attractive airhostess, Helga (Mona Afshar) back to his house.

     As the night of romance goes on, more people arrive, confrontations abound and the confusion heightens.

Tina Barker has already proven herself as an accomplished comedy director, but farce is a specialist genre and can be the downfall of even the most talented of directors. However, with the assistance of Nicola Bond this show was exceptional.

The cast were completely attuned; each knew perfectly what was expected of them. From the nervous, yet reluctant shy lover, to the slightly stooped, panic stricken, unfaithful husband working at full speed in an attempt to cover his tracks. Everyone was word perfect, superbly rehearsed – there can be no leeway on farce – and with flawless delivery.

How often do you hear ‘The funniest show this year’ only to see a mild presentation with the odd laugh? This romp had four or five laughs every minute, many of them being belly laughs.

After a miserable day at work, dealing with the general public and the tiresome task of Christmas shopping, then this roller-coaster of saucy madness will brighten you up. Booking advised.