It is quite an experience for any critic to be sat in an audience a few feet away from actors satirising the very practice of reviewing. And yet in Lewis Gray’s production of Tom Stoppard’s The Real Inspector Hound, this experience has been made an entertaining and hilarious one.
Actors Adam Alcock and Henri Ward skilfully pull off the two critics who spend much of the play sat in the audience commenting regularly on the play that they (and we) are watching. Whilst both are extremely funny, it is difficult to distinguish between the elder, experienced critic, and the younger, ambitious one. Heavier characterisation would strengthen both performances, as would a better rapport between the two – whose exchanges can occasionally seem lengthy and tedious. Nonetheless, both actors deliver their lines with excellent comic timing and, as is the case with all actors, without ever breaking character.
The critics watch, with the audience, a whodunnit murder mystery, where both the victim and the murderer are kept a secret. This is later subverted, as the critics make their way on stage in a hilarious finale, where the distinction between stage and reality is slowly subverted.
The characters of Muldoon Manor are all excellently portrayed, without any real weak links. Gray’s direction succeeds in bringing to life Stoppard’s farce, which satirises theatrical convention. In this vein, Beth Yarwood Smith, as the melodramatic “Victorian woman”, Cynthia, is excellent, as is Georgia Bird, the younger Felicity. Both are caught in an endless love triangle with Freddy Elletson’s Simon Gascoyne who also pulls off his character skilfully, giving nothing away.
A criticism that can be levelled at the production is the need for balance between characters. Whilst all are archetypes of their character types, including the critics, some actors overdo this characterisation, and others understate it – to the detriment of the piece. However, the standout actress who perfectly strikes the balance between over-the-top and controlled is Stephanie Bartlett. Bartlett’s character is a bad actress who is playing the airy Mrs Drudge in the play-within-a-play and her performance is perfect. The audience are unable to take their eyes off her as she partakes in both hilarious background acting, and taking the spotlight when appropriate.
In short, Lewis Gray and producer Rosie Townshend’s production is well worth a watch this weekend if you can get down to the Drama Barn, for a lighthearted, enjoyable performance. Ultimately, whatever this production lacks it makes up for with an excellent set, lighting design and, most importantly of all, brilliant comedy.