The Ladykillers

Review by Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

A play is always enhanced by an ingenious set, so enormous credit must go to designers Peter Gutteridge and Colin Pile for their ingenuity which added so much to the audience’s enjoyment of this black comedy.

Based on a 1955 Ealing Studio film starring Alec Guinness, it tells the story of five bank robbers who plan a heist whilst posing as undercover musicians at the house of an elderly woman, Mrs Wilberforce, who they plan to kill after the event. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot!

The house is very close to the railway, and you can almost feel the engines steaming past which just adds to the atmosphere.

Each of the robbers really gets under the skin of their diverse characters. There is the brains behind the heist, Professor Marcus (George Findlay). He is cool and assured, contrasting with the highly excitable Major Courtney (Patrick D’Ardenne). Mark Ward adds more than a dash of humour as the dim One-Round, with Rob Reynolds providing a big dose of menace as Louis Harvey, all black clothing and dark glasses. Gareth Dunning completes the quintet of robbers as a member of the criminal underclass.

It is a splendid performance from Jenny Sibley as Mrs Wilberforce. The actress, who has 60 years’ experience under her belt, is on the stage for much of the action and her characterisation is so believable.

Dawn Hollington never disappoints in her roles, this time as Constable McDonald and also as one of Mrs Wilberforce’s guests. Sue Barber and Helen Kuster also clearly enjoy their small cameo parts as the other guests.

Directed by David Pile, this play, which had a surprising ending, gives the audience a really enjoyable evening.

It runs until Saturday, with performances at 7.30pm as well as a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Book via: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ferndown-drama or from The Barrington or at the door.