Charley's Aunt
Written by: Brandon Thomas
Directed by: Barry Young
March 2003
This classic evergreen farce is set in Oxford during Commemoration week. The imminent visit of Charles Wykeham's aunt from Brazil, Donna Lucia, provides an excuse for Charles and Jack to invite their young ladies to meet her. When a telegram arrives postponing Donna Lucia's visit, they persuade their amiable friend Babbs (since they must have a chaperon) to impersonate the aunt.
Here the fun begins, Babbs, thoroughly enjoys being kissed and caressed by the girls and receiving their confidences, but finds his ingenuity severely taxed when brought face to face with the real Donna Lucia. Moreover, Donna Lucia amuses herself by concealing her identity where declaring that she knew Donna Lucia's husband most intimately. All ends, of course, happily!
Cast List
Reviews
A show I have heard of but never seen. This was a first rate performance of what was billed as 'The classic comedy' and it most certainly was.Directed by Barry Young this was a well rounded and nicely observed piece from a bygone era, when social etiquette was vastly different to what we see today. The ten players were all excellent and despite some apparent last minute problems with casting, the show did not suffer.
The three act play had some very good sets and the costumes were all true to the late 1800's period being portrayed. Mistaken identity is the main premise of the play and correct timing and pace are required to carry this off effectively. The Director did not fail in this regard and the three young main characters gave performances that were equal to the task, coping well with the dated script. Chris O'Kelly, Chris Mack and Steve Potter as the three upper class gentleman at Oxford were all very good, maintaining their effected accents and actions throughout. Steve Potter in the enforced character of the title was excellent, his portrayal of 'Charley's Aunt' was just brilliant.
There was a nicely observed performance from Vic Miller as Brassett the put upon butler, and Martin Herford's Colonel Sir Francis Chesney and Paul O'Kelly's Stephen Spettigue were also well presented. For the female cast, Emma Daldry, Sandra Trott and Amy Kirby were dressed well for their parts and Gina Daldry as the true 'Aunt' was suitably reluctant to reveal her identity until the cast had tied themselves in the preverbial dramatic knots.
Colin Butcher, NODA