Trolley dollies no pushovers in this naughty comedy
NAUGHTY French farce Boeing Boeing touches down in Bath this weekend in an hilarious new stage production by London Classic Theatre.
Set in Paris in the early sixties the comedy features successful architect Bernard and his three glamorous fiancees, all of whom work for different airlines. With the aid of a fat book of printed flight timetables – quaint! – and the help of a long-suffering maid he keeps the three apart.
But chaos ensues with the launch of a new superfast jet that blows his carefully choreographed arrangements out of the sky, and the mayhem is further complicated by the arrival of Robert, his old friend from the provinces.
Dated attitudes towards women? Absolutely.
French playwright Marc Camoletti wrote Boeing Boeing in 1962. The play was instantly popular and went on to have the distinction of entering the Guinness Book of Records in 1991 as the most performed French play worldwide.
But in this production the trolley dollies (known as air stewardesses back then, flight attendants now) are no pushover and give as good as they get.
Directed by Michael Cabot, the pace is fast and the comedy laughout-loud funny. This is two hours of brilliantly executed non-stop hilarity that relies on split-second timing and comically exaggerated character performances.
Stewardesses Gabriella (Nathalie Barclay as the emotional Italian) and Gloria (Isabella DellaPorta as the feisty American) are both amusing, while Jessica Dennis is a comedy knockout as Gretchen, the no-nonsense German fraulein.
The men? They don’t stand a chance.
Bernard (John Dorney) is reduced to a gibbering physical wreck, while Robert (Paul Sandys), morphing swiftly from shocked ingenue to would-be libertine, are put in their respective places. There are excellent comic performances from both.
In the middle of all the comings and goings, and holding it all together in a splendidly grumpy way, is Jo Castleton as the maid Bertha.
Designer Bek Palmer’s set and costumes are a delight with chic airline outfits featuring mini skirts, Courrege white boots and a Mary Quant hairstyle as worn by Gloria.
The futuristic set is not just beautiful but ingenious with three curved overarching structures representing the women’s flight paths, while Bernard’s apartment is a model of sixties design – there’s even a ball chair.
Fun and light-hearted, London Classic Theatre’s superb new production is a hoot and Wednesday’s opening night audience responded with cheers and prolonged applause. Go and see it.
■ is showing at the Theatre Royal Bath until Saturday, June 4. Call the box office on 01225 448844 or go online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk