Park Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 23rd August 2013
Thark is a delightful piece of theatre. Ben Travers' farce, which premiered in 1927, provides a few hours of fantastic light hearted fun. Of course the story is a little bit mad. As you would expect the play is full of secrets, confusion and awkward situations.
The show follows Hector Benbow who is having a 'secret liaison' with a shop girl... but it all goes horribly wrong when his wife arrives home early, and as if that wasn't enough in the second act rumours surface which suggest the family home (called Thark) is haunted. Hector and his family try to prove the rumours wrong... but do they succeed?
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| Lucy May Barker |
The production is full of nostalgia. From the accents of the cast to the set and costume designs, a great deal of detail has been put into every aspect of the show. The cast are particularly strong, with a stand out performance coming from James Dutton as Hector's pompous nephew, Ronny.
Lucy May Barker is perfectly cast as the naive and slightly confused Cherry Buck. Following her sensational performance in Sweeney Todd last year it is fantastic to see her take on a completely different role in a such a different show.
Not only does Clive Francis shine as Hector, giving a very energetic performance, but behind the scenes he created this new adaptation of Ben Travers’ play. Michael Culkin was originally cast as Hector but was replaced by Francis after rehearsals had already begun. It is evident that Francis knows the play inside out as he plays every line to perfection.
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| James Dutton & Clive Francis |
The cast bounce well off each other and as the run continues the piece will only become tighter and funnier. This was actually my first visit to the new Park Theatre in Finsbury Park. The theatre is lovely and from the moment I walked in I noticed the warm, friendly atmosphere. The performance space is great and far more comfortable than most intimate venues (when I sat down the first thing I noticed was the leg room).
I must admit, it took me a short while to get into Thark, but as soon as I did I loved it. The second act is a little stronger than the first, the scene in which Hector and his nephew Ronny share a bed had me in hysterics and the tension is built up spectacularly throughout leading towards the play's jumpy conclusion.
If you are looking for an easygoing, slightly silly, old-school evening at the theatre then look no further than this hysterical production of Thark at the Park Theatre. Be prepared to jump, cringe and roar with laughter.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Thark runs at the Park Theatre until 22nd September 2013.
Please visit www.parktheatre.co.uk for further information and tickets.
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