Find out more
Comedy gold came to Wellington’s newly revamped Christopher Lee Theatre in this year’s senior play, ‘Jack Absolute Flies Again’. The play, set on a Sussex Airfield in 1940s Britain, is a contemporary reworking of Sheridan’s The Rivals, and sees a group of young airmen farcically involved in romantic intrigue against a backdrop of death and derring-do.
Claire Anderson’s sparkling production was full of pace, style, fun and laughter and featured a stellar performance from Wynn H in the title role, who kept the action moving with verve, wit and impeccable comic timing. Eloise K, a superb and skittish Lady’s Maid created joyful chaos with her scheming, while also keeping the audience abreast of her increasingly convoluted machinations, and Max M brought order and pathos in his nuanced role as Commanding Officer. Vanessa T’s Mrs Malaprop nodded aristocratically to Sheridan’s original, while Maisie S and Cress M-C, who shared the part of Lydia Languish, were a beguiling mix of sultry promise and revolutionary zeal. Theo B was an energetic and brash Aussie Airman and Ralph M provided moments of unique comedy genius in his energetic and captivating portrayal of the brave but idiotic Roy Faulkland.
This was an evening of extraordinary entertainment: genuinely farcical, hugely fun, and wonderfully energetic as the principals and chorus jitterbugged their way through the pains and pleasures of unrequited love, Glenn Miller’s big band sound keeping one and all always in the mood.
Congratulations to all the cast, whose hours of painstaking rehearsal were richly rewarded by standing ovations and special mention to Harriet F, who not only played Julia Melville with great lightness of touch, but also worked alongside the production team as Assistant Director. Of all the dramatic genres, Restoration Comedy, is perhaps the hardest to get just right, but this show took all the constituent parts in its stride to create a sparkling cocktail that served notice once again that Wellington Drama, in the hands of Director Nick Huntington, is not only infinitely varied but also in rude good health.
It was, as Mrs Maloprop might have said, an absolute Tour de France!
View the full gallery HERE.
