Wednesday,
April 7th, 2001 Wednesday,
April 7th, 2001
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Love Off the Shelf, The Phoenix Theatre Company, They are collaborating on a historical biography, but unknown to each other, are secretly writing romantic fiction. The characters and plots of their stories provide the action of this very funny musical. The multi-talented Wayne Ings gets the lion's share of the laughs by playing no fewer than 10 characters. His comic timing and range of voices made him a hit with the audience. |
He was ably supported by the rich singing voices of Iain Steele and David Wilkins. The talented bunch of heroines was led in strength by Lena Morgan as frumpy poet Mary and Gilly Jeffery as a delightful vampy Lucinda. Only a simple set was needed to show off the colouful costumes. Combined with some tuneful, witty songs, this musical comedy will make you fall in love with it. Hilary Braddon |
6th
April 2001
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Hilarious evening is on offer at the Plaza Theatre The Phoenix Company promised that Love Off The Shelf would be very funny, and it is. You chuckle, you giggle and, every now and again, you roar with laughter.The musical comedy, which is a lampoon of Mills and Boon-type romantic fiction, is well written, making the most of its highly-clichéd world and was performed with passion and vitality by the cast. Throughout nostils flared and everywhere people were turning on their heels as love constantly rushed towards a climax before suddenly being thrown off course and resisted once again. The person who stole the show played 13 parts. He was a teenager in love on skis, he was a hot-blooded one-eyed 18th century poet, he was a stuttering preacher, an evil 'greasy' Latin lover and even a Boy Scout. |
The others in the cast were good but Wayne Ings was fabulous. His expressions were hilarious - Russ Abbot in his hey day. He captured the audience from the start. They started to giggle every time he came on stage. If he raised an eye-brow, they were sniggering, if he walked, there was hooting and snorting, and if he dared speak, teh packed opening night audience were splitting their sides. He had everyone eating out of his hand. It was worth the admission for him alone. Love Off the Shelf is on at the Plaza Theatre, Romsey, until tomorrow (Saturday). Marie Spanswick |
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