By Peter Kemp
Eltham Little Theatre presented a great evening of laughs, comedy and farce for their spring season.
Moon Over Buffalo a story of two actors, just ask them, they tour upstate New York hoping for that one last break. It comes when a leading Hollywood producer says he will see their afternoon matinee. But! George and Charlotte, married, but there is trouble on the horizon,
ELT’s opening set was the lounge room George and Charlotte’s living room, rented for the show and has their schedule of plays on the wall plus change room upstairs on audience left. There are the obligatory five doors as in every farce and this play is not only funny, but the players did a fantastic job of timing, laughs, perhaps a little tragedy which no-one noticed because they were laughing too much. The opening number was hysterical. The players were in costume for Cyrano de Bergerac in front of a curtain. When they fought their way off screen the curtains opened to the scene above.
Emma Wood was Charlotte, a great performance with spot on timing and her expressions were a picture. Excellently performed.
Her husband George was portrayed by Sean McKenna. An asset to ELT, working well with Wood and some of his scenes particularly with the ‘coffee’ were a sheer delight.
Trevor Eccles was Paul, the couple’s manager and was in love with their daughter. A good performance and poor Paul didn’t seem to know whether he was coming or going.
Roz, their daughter, was given a sterling performance by Ada Jean. A young girl who did not want Paul but was engaged to Howard. Jean certainly kept the standard of the comique play high.
Ethel, Charlotte’s mother, gave a delightful performance as the deaf mother and grandmother. Some of her scenes were a sheer delight.
James Anderson was Howard, a nerd. Who didn’t really understand show people. Anderson gave a good portrayal of such a character and what happened to him nearly brought the house down.
Eileen was played by Georgina Todd, a small role but done with flair and a good addition to the shoe. The solicitor to the stars was Richard, played by Phillip O’Brien. Another small role but without it the show could not go on. O’Brien captured the character as expected, turning in a good portrayal.
A must see show which closes 17 September.
Also don’t forget The Addams Family presented by CPP Community Theatre opening Friday 7 October. Bookings go to cppcommunitytheatre.com.au
