Taking a beloved TV sitcom that celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year and transplanting it onto the stage is a bold undertaking and yet Louth Playgoers, under the direction of Laura Martin has done just that. Roy Clarke gave his blessing to an original adaptation of his television scripts by Laura Martin and she in turn has crafted them beautifully into a full length stage show. Viewers will know and love the triumvirate of characters well. Arkwright, proprietor of the shop that sells a little bit of everything could give Ebenezer Scrooge a run for his money. Granville is the perpetual underdog, full of lust and unrequited love for the milk woman and the target of Arkwright's bullying exploitation. Finally, Nurse Gladys Emmanuel, the buxom broad with a searing wit who knows precisely how to tease Arkwright and to keep him firmly in his place whenever the need arises. All three are present and correct and the originators of each role can rest easy that their beloved characters are in safe hands at the Riverhead Theatre.
The set looks great, adorned with stock and the little details are a treat for those audience members like to notice the fine details in a very well stocked shop. By contrast, the living quarters shared by Arkwright and Granville are austere and rather spartan, reflecting the cold which requires a fire to remain burning in the fireplace throughout. The production may feel it has struggled, only really being able to run the show on the Main Stage at the Riverhead the night before it opens for the first time as the director is struck down with ill health and cannot attend, but I can assure you that her work has already been done, and done well. The cast are terrific and nobody will walk away from Arkwright's feeling short changed,
Ray Baker is wonderful as Arkwright. He channels the spirit of Ronnie Barker perfectly and if you squint you might swear it was Barker himself on stage at times. He brings a miserly quality to his performance as the bumptious bragard who is quick to con those poor souls unfortunate enough to shop in his store. Dressed in a brown overcoat, Baker succeeds in reminding us of the genius of Barker without being forced into a note-perfect impression. This is an acting performance, and not an impression. It is a mini-masterclass as Baker's innate comic timing shines through his performance.
Russell Alder's Granville, whilst less physically reminiscent of Sir David Jason's portrayal, truly captures the essence of the downtrodden underdog perfectly. Alder gives Granville a hangdog expression, bordering on sexual frustration and exasperation, and elicits huge swathes of sympathy from the audience as he portrays the sad clown-like elements perfectly. The audience will undoubtedly root for Granville to break his duck and prevent him being unlucky in love.
Julia Burnett fits the role of Gladys Emmanuel so well. She is well-matched to Ray Baker and the banter between the two is a delight as she frequently manages to outsmart the lascivious shopkeeper's advances until she agrees to a night away with him on her own terms. A seasoned professional, Burnett never overplays the role and understands her character wonderfully. She brings all her experience to making Nurse Gladys a real, three dimensional character within the show.
Whilst the three principal characters are very good, the support they receive from the supporting cast is tremendous. The actors all prove that there is not need for a main part to make a good impression in a role. Amanda Hodges creates a wonderfully wacky Mavis who is so hairbrained she even forgets where she lives having moved.
As Mrs White, Susan Munro is slightly superior to most of Arkwright's customers and it comes over well in her portrayal. and as the milkwoman who steals Granville's heart, Vikki Parker gives an assured performance whenever on stage.
I loved Cheryl Vallely's Mrs Blewett, she could have even stepped out of the screen from Last of the Summer Wine with a very convincing portrayal of a sturdy, Northern gossip.
And finally, the mad bottlewoman was hilarious. Played by Assistant Director Anna-Maria Vesey, who has stepped up into the Director's shoes following Laura Martin's unexpected illness.
The men in the supporting cast are equally on message too in the way they bring their roles to life. Keith Larcombe is a dour Cyril. He is easily led by Arkwright who always seems to manoeuvre him into parting with more cash than intended.
Andy Vallely gives a gruff Bert who, try as he may to avoid it, finds himself unable to resist the machinations of Arkwright's scheming. The world weary performance is very well pitched.
Michael Parker provides a menacing, albeit brief, presence as the partner of the Milkwoman that Granville wishes to woo despite the human barrier.
I have no doubt that audiences will thoroughly enjoy revising the world of the little corner shop with its inflated pricing and the ability to flog off food well-past its best. the show runs from Monday 2 October until Saturday 7 October at 7:30pm and a limited number of tickets are still available from the Riverhead box office or via the website.
Cast & Crew
Arkwright, Ray Baker
Granville, Russell Alder
Nurse Gladys Emmanuel, Julia Burnett
Milkwoman, Vikki Parker
Mavis, Amanda Hodges
Mrs Blewett, Cheryl Vallely
Cyril/Burglar 3, Keith Larcombe
Bert/Burglar 2, Andy Vallely
Mrs White, Susan Munro
Bottlewoman, Anna-Maria Vesey
Milkwomans Fella/Burglar 1, Michael Parker
The Dog, Fletcher
Creative Team
Writer/Director, Laura Martin
Assistant Director, Anna-Maria Vesey
2nd AD, Daniel Wakefield
Set Design, Bob Booth
Set Build, Bob Booth and the LPS Build Team
Props, Ashley Wright, Laura Martin and the cast
Wardrobe, Fern Garland and Pat Crawshaw
Prompt, Susan Munro
Technical Design and Delivery, Daniel Wakefield, Nicholas Kendall and Jason Bartlett
Andy Evans 02 October 2023
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