Theft Eric Chappell
The Caxton Theatre, Grimsby
22 – 29 October 2022
Many years ago, television writer Eric Chappell visited the Caxton Theatre to talk about his life, his career and his comedy creations. I was among a small audience that night as he visited from his home in Grantham. His career is defined by his greatest hits which included Rising Damp, Only When I Laugh and Duty Free - but above all, he was a very nice man, very generous with his time and it was a sad loss when he passed away in April 2022, aged 88. It is fitting then that director Debra West has chosen to stage his play Theft as a part of this year’s season at the Caxton Theatre, though it was no doubt chosen before he passed away.
This comedy thriller is not his best-known work but is delightful. West manages to bring out the absurdity and the pomposity necessary in each performance from her cast and to keep the audience guessing as to precisely what is going on throughout. Its not so much a “whodunnit?” as a “whodidwhatnow?”
The set is simple, but beautifully realised. The whole play takes place in one room in an elegant house that has been ransacked by burglars. The scenic painting is as always, beautifully rendered and reflects the opulence of the millionaire’s home There is no need for any clever tricks within the staging, just entrances, exits and provides the platform for good old comic chops to perform as the pace, mania and insanity increases throughout.
The cast is strong and instantly recognizable to Caxton’s audience with many, many productions under their belts. To see such witty material handled so deftly by an accomplished cast means that the audience will definitely enjoy the unexpected nature of the twists and turns within the show. There is strong characterisation from every member of the cast, though the characters they play are often rather seedy and unpleasant when their deepest secrets are revealed, though I shall seek to avoid spoilers in my review where possible.
The curtains open and we are met by a golf club wielding Trevor Farrington, played by Ian Hammond. Although initially appearing as a have-a-go-hero, that view is soon shattered as his lack of assurance rapidly becomes apparent. Trevor is in fact, rather wet. Despite early promise in life, this man with an impressive set of academic qualifications, has been beaten down by the reality of adult life and has somewhat embraced his situation without question and has become something of a loser. Hammond plays the hangdog expressions brilliantly and you cannot help but feel sympathy as everyone in turn finds ways to humiliate him further.
His best friend and the owner of this magnificent property is John Miles played by Ruairidh Greig. Miles is a self-made millionaire who has not forgotten the school friend who stepped in to protect him from bullies when Trevor was head boy and John was the victim. Although they now move in very different circles, John has not forgotten the kindness shown by Trevor and expects nothing in return for the kindness he is now able to show Trevor. However, John seems burdened with a lush as his wife and defends Trevor’s parsimony and frugal lifestyle before her. Greig manages to convey a layered character that is initially likeable but ultimately, has more secrets that dwell below the surface.
In a welcome return to the stage after a ten-year absence, Vivienne Sargent plays Jenny Farrington, Trevor’s wife. Clearly from good stock, Jenny is resigned to her life of making ends meet with Trevor but is nonetheless frustrated at the lack of opportunities for improvement today. She bemoans the fact that nothing in their kitchen is “new”, and things are held together on a wing and a prayer at times. Sargent plays the slightly downtrodden, but aspiring wife brilliantly. Her frustration and biting sarcasm come across really well and audiences will sympathise with her character’s plight.
In a wonderful performance in which she is rarely found on stage without a bottle or a glass in her hand, Jo Forster plays Barbara, the over-privileged wife of John Miles. Forster’s drunken antics are bitingly funny from the moment she sets foot on stage and never go over the top. She is caustic, judgmental and a lot savvier than we might give her credit for. She resents much of the life to which she has grown accustomed and yet elicits sympathy as a trophy wife afraid of growing too old to keep her husband’s attention.
Rounding out the cast in one of his best performances in recent years is Mike Wilson as Spriggs. It is no spoiler to tell you that Spriggs is the man behind the burglary. Caught in the act of escaping from the scene of the crime, this eel-like conman succeeds in getting under the skin of those who he has come to rob. Blessed with the gift of the gab, Spriggs sharply manages to divide and conquer the owners and their house guests playing up their weaknesses and causing them to reveal their darkest secrets to him which he can later use against them. Wilson does a magnificent job in this incredibly wordy role in teasing the secrets out of each character and later using it to his advantage. His manipulative nature seems genuine and yet there are times when the audience may even root for Spriggs over his victims, though I shall say no more.
The play itself is darkly funny and will keep audiences guessing as to who has done what and why. I have no doubt that the laughter will ring from the Caxton Theatre this week as they have unearthed a lesser-known play that serves as a tremendous tribute to the late Eric Chappell. I thoroughly recommend this show which runs from 22 – 29 October.
Andy Evans 19 October 2022.
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