Play It Again SamWestovians
20 May 2012
I often get the odd apparition or dream of somebody famous or other in the night. I must say this is normally after a few drinks, they don't do me any harm, they don't lecture me or lead me to a better understanding of myself, they just come...and go.
Allan Felix gets the odd visit from Humphrey Bogart, being a film reviewer, he could probably crit every one of Humps appearance down to the full stop.
Bogart is Allan's alter ego, he comes up in all of the right places, lending his vocal hand, especially within the confines of the disastrous love life of our protagonist.
Allan has had his heart broken by Nancy, the one and only love of his life. She has followed up her constant threats of leaving him, for a better, grander life. She wants to see more of the world, play the field, see the colours of the rainbow and take it all by the scruff of the neck.
Allan would be happy to just carry on as normal with her, head to the cinema and bury his head in the sand.
Dick, Allan's best friend, is on hand to give the advice, that a best friend can only give in times of need like this, head out meet more desirable women and forget about what has passed.
Linda, Dick's wife, lends a hand with the 'I have a few nice girlfriends you could date' arm of friendship, but nothing seems to go right for our man. His foot always seems to be firmly planted in all of the wrong places!
Allan and Linda get on like a house on fire, spending days out in the park and night's out visiting discotheques, for the unlikely fleeting moment that Allan will actually share some wonderful earth shattering meeting with a girl that will take him away from his neurotic and lonely lifestyle.
He seems though to be getting, closer and closer, day by day, to his best mates's wife, and Humphrey is up to bad things, his advice could shatter his friendship with both Dick and Linda.
Opening to a great stage set up (Eddie McNamee and John Errington) of a typical front roomed 1970's apartment in New York, with its art decor walls and posters of Bogart.
Peter Dawson playing Felix, looked so comfortable up on the stage, like he had done the play time after time. A great showing from him (especially the many monologues), with some great comic timings. Play It Again, Sam's writer, the great Woody Allen would be very happy with Dawson's on stage performance.
Miriam Beber, as Nancy the want away wife, showed her grit as she poured scorn on her husband.
David Foster and Corinne Kilvington as Dick and Linda, put on a great display as helpful and watchful friends to Allan, the latter scenes with Linda and Allen were especially memorable.
Amy Jeffels played the many girlfriends of a hopeful Allen, some quick change dress scenes with great dialogue and acting, show that Amy has continued to impress.
Freddo Vista (I just love that name) played Allan's friendly agony Uncle, Bogart. Vista only had a few moments on stage, but was instrumental in the success of the show.
Directed by John Errington, with sound and light by Craig Richardson and Ian Johnson.
Play It Again, Sam is a sharp and witty play, with some great acting. If you are a fan of Woody Allen and his quirky Jewish way of looking at life, then you will love this.
Play It Again Sam, plays until Saturday 26th May
Michael Hunter
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