Reviewed by Jan Dixon
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!!! What a unique experience of laugh-out-loud excellent comic timing! I had the great pleasure of attending the opening night of the smash hit West End comedy ‘The Comedy About A Bank Robbery’, from the creators of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.
This was a fast and furious comedy by Mischief Theatre, set in a Minneapolis City Bank in 1958, which was entrusted with a priceless diamond. Characters included escaped convicts, police, bank staff and scheming girlfriends. They all provided a rich source of plots involving mistaken identities, love triangles and farcical interactions. Ultimately the theft of the diamond is the main focus for everyone.
The cast of 12 actors were amazing; each quickly establishing a strong rapport with the audience. A warm, funny, clever and innovative play – unique in its very being! Cast members also moved the scenery effortlessly, creating a variety of backdrops to enhance the many scenes. A strong female vocalist provided links between scenes, adding to the storyline. Recurring themes ran throughout – involving seagulls, moustaches and missing trousers – using a pantomime familiarity to brilliant effect. Be prepared to be amazed by the physicality of the performances – acrobatics and dexterity were used with great skill. A stand-out scene involved a truly inventive ‘climbing wall’ three-dimensional vision of a bank room – excellent! Slapstick at its best; with exquisite comic timing.
Very highly recommended; definitely worth a 5 star rating! If you get the chance, do go and see it while you can; it runs until Saturday 6th April 2019.
The Mayflower Theatre is close to railway links with a variety of car parks close-by. It is advisable to check the nearby Southampton football club fixtures as this can have an impact on the volume of traffic entering/leaving Southampton. Do allow for this when travelling to the venue. The theatre itself has recently been refurbished and looked stunning, with comfortable seating and plenty of leg room. Staff were very welcoming with a high standard of customer care.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £19.50 to £36.50 (booking fees may apply).
The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton from 2-6 April 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.mayflower.org.uk or call the box office on 02380 711811.
Mayflower Theatre, Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1GE | 02380 711811
