A new comedy play has come to Chiswick! Dressing Gown is written by Andrew Cartmel (novelist, script editor, and founder of the Thursday Theatre online play readings).
It’s an amusing show that mixes sex farce with a sharp send up of the personalities who ‘put on a play’. Ash (Jamie Hutchins), the hapless director who is plagued by constant visits and misunderstanding, just can’t find time to get dressed.
Set in one room, heavily domesticated and fitting nicely on the Tabard’s floor stage, Ash’s day takes on a downward curve from the moment his doorbell wakes him from a late sleep.
Dan (Ryan Woodcock), Jenna (Freya Alderson), and Layla (Rosie Edwards), respectively, the producer, writer, and leading lady of Ash’s production, The Bearded Vulture. They’re all bizarre creations, larger than life and created for humour.
As they form a constant parade of unwanted visitors into Ash’s flat, misunderstandings are faced neuroses are soothed, and the play is threatened with cancellation more than once.
Farce devotees will be glad to hear the ‘chase’ element is alive and well in Dressing Gown, while all four performances rise to the challenge of a proposterous plot.
Behind the scenes in theatreland performers worry, writers bristle, and producers completely break down. It’s all so ‘dramatic’.
There’s an additional character on the other end of a phone described as a ‘prima donna’ and another rival actress mentioned in passing. You can picture these two just as easily as those between us.
At just 70 minutes straight through, Dressing Gown doesn’t have time to go stale. Director Jenny Eastop keeps a tight rein on the timing and absurdity, letting the cast run riot but never go too far.
Hutchins gives Ash a world-weary feel, and Woodcock’s Dan hits each ridiculous beat with flair. Alderson’s Jenna, a riot of clashing colour in her costume, is crispy sarcastic, while Edwards has fun with her indignantly sexy Layla.
Dressing Gown is a lot of fun to watch and uses its numerous moments of entrance and exit to great effect. It uses its words well, and I enjoyed the characters, bonkers though they may be.
You can see Dressing Gown at Theatre at he Tabard until 27 Jul with tickets here.
****
Image credit: Matt Hunter