The Comedy About A Bank Robbery at the Theatre Royal Nottingham Review

Reviewed by Nigel Chester

We were lucky enough, once again to enjoy an evening out at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham for “The Comedy About A Bank Robbery” by the Mischief Theatre Company.

On arrival at the theatre, one could have been mistaken into the belief that you had inadvertently attended a production of “The Play That Goes Wrong” by the same company. The auditorium was not open, due to “technical difficulties”, the more cynical would suggest, to boost the bar takings. However, we were kept well informed of delays and when we took our seats and the performance began, it was easy to see that the versatility and complexity of the sets could easily have been the cause of the delays.

The plot, set in 1950s America, a diamond heist, transported us from a prison break to bank vault and 20th storey apartment, the sets were astounding in their apparent simplicity, married with their obvious complexity, there was a cartoon like quality to them.

The performance was in a sphere of its own, different to anything I have seen before. The dialogue was very fast paced and funny, akin to the play on words used in “The Two Ronnies”, the plays on words and quick humour had us rocking with laughter.

Liam Jeavons, as  convict Mitch Ruscitti, comically menacing, along with his hapless sidekick, prison officer Neil Cooper (David Coomber) attempted to steal the gem, but then, add into the mix the banker, Robin Freeboys (Damian Lynch), his daughter Caprice, her many lovers, bank staff, Warren Slax (Jon Trenchard), Ruth Monaghan, ably played by Ashley Tucker, and her son Sam and also the FBI, portrayed an air of chaos and confusion.

In the main, this was true slapstick comedy, the sets were fabulous, despite a short break before the interval to attend to a technical glitch (it mattered not).

A scene in the ventilation shaft and later, the vault, were stunning, and the final plot twist could not have been anticipated. A truly memorable performance.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £17.50 to £33.50 (transaction fee may apply).

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham from 25-29 September 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.trch.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 989 5555.

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND