The Diary of a Nobody
White Bear Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 10th June 2014
In a world of blogging and social media, every nobody can be a somebody. We follow and interact with people we don't know and want people to take notice of every mundane thing we blog or tweet about.
However, back in 1888 if you were a nobody you knew your place, yet Charles Pooter (Jake Curran) is suffering from his own self-importance and takes it upon himself to publish his diary - his musings, his sufferings and his embarrassments. In The Diary of a Nobody, brothers George and Weedon Grossmith provide us with an insight into the lower-middle classes of the late 19th century.
In this version, directed by Mary Franklin, Rough Haired Pointer have opted for a small cast of six (although the night I saw it Shelley Lang was unavailable, so in fact there were just five) to play all of the characters.
Interestingly, the production doesn't feel panto-esque, despite there being men playing women. Instead it suits the quirky style of the performance, plus Jordan Mallory-Skinner (Pooter's wife Carrie) doesn't put on a silly voice (although he does sound like Kenneth Williams), but wows us with fabulous facial expressions that show us exactly what Carrie thinks of her husband.
In fact all five of the actors (particularly Geordie Wright) are funny and at times it's hard to tell what is scripted and what is improvised... especially as each actor is taking on multiple (and then some more) roles.
Things are knocked over and broken but is this part of the play or not? Leaving the audience in fits of laughter, the farcical elements reminded me of Noises Off and Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense.
The stage and costumes are set up to look like paper, reminiscent of the pages of Mr Pooter's diary perhaps, but the overall look is very effective and adds to the amusement... although at the end the stage is slightly worse for wear and covered in all sorts, including torn up bits of bread!
This production of The Diary of a Nobody is timeless, charming and a little bit bonkers! Just be aware that if you sit in the front row you might leave (as I did) covered in talcum powder and confetti...
Reviewed by Michaela Clement-Hayes
The Diary Of A Nobody runs at the White Bear Theatre until Saturday 21st June 2014.
Click here for further information and tickets.
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