Written By
Guy Unsworth
Where and When
21st – 24th February 2024 @ The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
The Plot
Hilarious mishaps and DIY disasters bring the house down, quite literally, as the lovable accident-prone Frank Spencer and his long-suffering wife Betty create comic mayhem.
Betty has exciting news for Frank, but he’s preoccupied by possible newfound fame as a magician. With guests arriving for dinner and crossed wires all round, priceless misunderstandings are on the menu.
Based on the 1970s classic TV comedy by Raymond Allen and written by the award-winning Guy Unsworth, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em is the ultimate feel-good night out. Quite Frank-ly, you’d be a fool to miss it!
Ticket Info
- Thursday – Saturday Evenings – £17.00
- Weds Evening & Saturday Matinee – £15.00
Cast
- Frank Spencer – James Bourner
- Betty Spencer – Lindsay McGowan
- Father O’Hara – Chris Durham
- Barbara Fisher – Judy Garrett
- David Worthington / Terry Luscombe – Richard Neal
- Leslie Robin / Constable – Andy Gill
Creative Team
- Director – Rob Cording-Cook
- Stage Manager – Tracey Nicholls
- Deputy Stage Manager – Nick Clark
- Sound – Colin Pile
- Set Design – Chris Durham
- Set Construction – Chris Durham & Nick Clark
- Set Decoration – Heather Birchenough, Dee Hawes & Rob Cording-Cook assisted by members of the company
- ASMs – Dee Hawes, Heather Birchenough, Michelle Barter
- Book Cover – David Beddard-Banks
- Publicity & Programme – Richard Neal
Gallery
Reviews
What a hilarious comedy this is. The play is set in 1970’s, and the Golden Age of the British Sitcom on television may have come and gone but with the theatre revival of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, it’s fair to say that the Golden Age is making a comeback on our local stages. Directed by Rob Cording-Cook this production lacks nothing, attention to detail, no gag left unturned with superb timing by the cast.
The plot is relatable, even in 2024. We see Frank played by James Bourner battle with financial worries and a deep desire to not be a failure. His delivery of the dialogue was fast and furious as well as hilariously funny. He brought to the play his warmth of character which made him quite believable. Betty played by Lindsay McGowan was fabulous in her role as wife and daughter, there was a chemistry between them both which came across to the audience.
Father O’Hara played by Chris Durham shone in his portrayal of the zany a bit dotty priest and bumbled about the stage getting a laugh when he could. Barbara Fisher, Betty’s mother played by Judy Garrett was convincing as a caring mother and very funny as she got drunker and drunker and had to be eventually taken to bed. Richard Neal who was both David Worthington and Terry Luscombe was able to separate his parts well, but I did prefer him as Mr Worthington especially when finding a chair to sit down. Loved Andy Gill as the cameraman he was funny and gay without even speaking.
Whilst to a younger audience, there are a couple of moments that might not play out as well as they do to an audience with nostalgia of the original sitcom, I fell in love with the characters and the production. I came away from the Tivoli with a full heart and very sore cheeks from smiling and laughing all evening, and is there anything better? It is irresistibly silly, totally uncomplicated, and just pure joy to watch. It will leave you mouth open and crying with laughter”.
The set, lighting, sound and scenery were all as they should be, and the Creative Team did a great job executing this to a high standard. The costumes were all in period and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the show.
Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em runs until Saturday 24th, including a matinee on the Saturday.
Marilyn Barber, Dorset View
It takes more than a little confidence and courage for a company either professional or amateur to stage a play based on a hit TV series as comparisons with the original stars are inevitable.
However Wimborne Drama are never afraid to push boundaries and they set out on the premise that their Frank and Betty Spencer weren’t going to be an impersonation of Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice, but their own interpretation of the couple. The play was written for the stage and not lifted from the TV series.
Such is the expertise of the actors on stage, that by the end of the production, the original actors had slipped from my mind, and James Bourner had become Frank Spencer and Lindsay McGowan, his much put upon and very loyal wife, Betty.
Frank’s efforts to hone a magical act at his home, whilst covering up his disastrous DIY and trying to cook a meal for guests, leads to many moments of hilarity as he goes from one disaster to another with parts of the set crashing down and lights and music coming on at inappropriate moments.
Timing is all in just such a play and massive plaudits have to go to Chris Durham, who not only plays Father O’Hara, he also designed and built the stage set and organised the pyrotechnics.
Judy Garrett is a seasoned actor and never better when she plays quirky, slightly off the wall characters as she does as Barbara, Betty’s mother.
It is good to see Richard Neal on stage again, as he always gets under the skin of his characters – and in this case two characters, David and Terry. Likewise Andy Gill as the theatrical Leslie and the dour Constable.
This is amateur theatre at is very best and Rob Cording-Cook should take a bow for directing this intricate production with such skill. The creative team also deserve accolades.
This week, don’t sit at home scrolling through entertainment on your TV, treat yourself to a fun night out and get a ticket for this play.
Programme
