Look No Hans Review

REVIEW: Look, no Hans - Broadstone Players Theatre Company, Broadstone Memorial Hall

There was plenty of going in and out of doors in this farce

This story certainly encapsulates all you would expect from farce, with ludicrously improbable situations and innuendo. With more twists than a Chubby Checker song, it is impressive that the cast manage to keep a handle on the plot. But they do, and it is clearly well rehearsed, with entrances and exits on time.

Set in West Berlin during the Cold War, it centres around Peter Fisher who is both an inept car salesman and industrial spy. Calum Williams puts in a lot of energy and enthusiasm into this lead role and clearly comedy is his forte.

The same could be said for Kevin Sissons, whose portrayal of Walter Cadwallader, a British Secret Agent, has more than a touch of Basil Fawlty/John Cleese about it.

Four women add to the befuddling of the two men. There is Heidi (Fee Stewart) and Mitzi (Val Smith) - who dress in outfits that wouldn’t keep them warm! They both clearly enjoy their sassy portrayals.

Amanda Senitt as Peter’s wife Monica and Suzanne Viney as Lesley, a car firm representative, add to the confusion and humour, with Elizabeth Daniel as Kurt, the voice on the end of the phone.

Just a couple of comments. In this production and previous ones - the wigs have been less than convincing. Perhaps a new source of supply is needed.

Also the Players are just a small company, so they don’t always manage to find actors in the right age range for parts and this is evident in this production.