REVIEW: You Can't Take It With You
- Posted on October 31, 2007 4:54 PM
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You Can't Take It With You
Monday 29th October 2007
Review by Katie Spain
From the moment the kitten entered the stage we were hooked. I like to think that even the hardened theatre critics felt a softening of the heart muscles. A play featuring livestock must be a hit right? (Wrong… did you see Ducktastic?). Fluff balls aside, ‘You Can’t Take It With You’ had us under a delightfully charming spell from word go. Who knew 1920s family life could be so darn entertaining.
Mention “London Bridge” and “theatre” in one sentence and most people think of ghouls and fake blood. You can’t blame them really; The London Dungeon has a lot to answer for. If only the tourists realised there’s a better experience to be found by the river side. Forget tours, museums and floating duck boats; a night at the Southwark Playhouse is the most heart-warming evening to be had in London right now.
The venue is nestled down a South London alleyway and by the time we find our way in, the press night crowd are already warming their cockles with wine and some delightful live Jazz. “I’ve got rhythm, I’ve got music, I’ve got my man who could ask for anything more?”. It’s a nice touch and ensures we are indeed ‘In The Mood’ for a night of 1920’s drama.
Charm Offensive’s production of ‘You Can’t Take It With You’ is the first major staging of the play in London since The National Theatre’s in 1983. I can’t possibly think why. George S. Kaufman and Moss Heart’s play won the Pulitzer Prize back in 1936 and has delighted audiences since. Sometimes it’s nice to go back to an old favourite. Sure, life may be like a box of chocolates but sometimes you want to know what you’re going to get. Why have Celebrations when you can have Prestat?
The play tells the story of Alice Sycamore and her whirlwind romance with her wealthy boss’ son Tony Kirby. It’d be a match made in heaven (if only their families could get along). The Sycamores live by the carefree attitude adopted by their wise, tax avoiding Grandfather Martin Vanderhoff (Gawn Grainger). They shun the rat race and exist by loving each other and have fun doing it. By contrast, the Kirbys live a structured Wall Street-goverened life. So, when Alice organises a ‘get to know you’ dinner party, things get interesting.
A textual round of applause must go to Sarah Wildor, who puts her experience as a principal Ballerina with The Royal Ballet to use for the role of Essie. She’s a happy bundle of lace and silk if ever I saw one. Ian Porter and Sadie Shimmin achieve wonderful balance as the somewhat flighty but ever-so loving Sycamore parents and the sour faced but oh-so endearing Kirby couple (Carolyn Lyster and Peter Gale).
It’s a big cast and praise should be showered upon them from all angles. Neil Boorman’s portrayal of Mr De Pinna had us simultaneously widening our eyes in laughter and covering them for fear of indecent exposure. Gracy Goldman captures Rheba’s sassy saunter and Rad Lazar is so devilishly Russian it’s ridiculous. Gay Wellington (Caroline Fenton) is also a drunken delight.
In his professional theatre debut, Matt Barber plays the dashing young Tony with endearing sensitivity (or is that his smouldering eyes and dashing good looks at work). Keep your eyes on this one ladies, theatre world has a new stunner.
The chemistry between Alice and her suitor however, lacks that special ‘something’. Blank facials unfortunately mean we find Alice difficult to relate to. I can only assume she saw a ghost before the show. Like I said, The London Dungeon has a lot to answer for.
As a package however, this show is priceless. Gawn Grainger (Grandpa) ties the people and events together with charm. In an age of flashing lights, pyrotechnics and digital enhancement, it’s rare to find a production that goes back to the roots of good old-fashioned fun. A stellar cast, a simple, a cracking plot and Mr Dillingher’s dodgy firecrackers light up the stage better than Steven Spielberg himself could.
You can’t help but walk out pondering the subtle but hard-hitting moral; don’t be afraid to have fun and live life the way you want to. I have a family very similar to that of the Sycamores clan – mad, loud, chaotic and ever-accepting. For someone on the other side of the world, far from my own loving Sycamores, this play hit harder than expected. Just where did I put that travel agent’s contact details?
This venue and the play are a light at the end of the theatrical London Bridge tunnel. I’ll be back… if you’ve got any sense, you will too.
Show details:
October 24th 2007 - November 17th 2007
The Southwark Playhouse
Show starts: 19:30 (15:00 Sat mats)
Running time: 2 hours
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