Habeas Corpus - Review
Venue: The Drama Barn
Rating: * * * *
The wit of Alan Bennett descended on the Drama Barn for the latest production of “Habeas Corpus”. A cleverly-directed production brought a bit of light-heartedness to an otherwise serious run of plays this season.
The exploration of middle and working class cultures of 1960s Britain were cleverly paralleled throughout. The mischievous Mrs Swabb played by Laura Henderson with tongue-in cheek characterisation and brilliantly sculptured
facial expressions, was a marvel. Ironically placed alongside the middle classes, her satirical approach to the character’s actions provided tireless amusement.
Mark Smith carried the cast as the quick-witted, desperate doctor Arthur Wicksteed. Smith perfected the role of the witty doctor with his quick delivery of lines, cheeky expression and knee knocking creepiness. Deputants Polly Ingham exuded sexual energy with ease and Gethin James carried off the pompous nature of Sir Percy Shorter to perfection.
The sparse set of 3 chairs were cleverly frequented by the cast particularly as the spot for Neil Forster’s farce hanging. The touches of music, particularly “Sexual Healing”, added to the comic moments
brilliantly as we watched Suz Mason as Muriel Wicksteed seduce an unaware Denzil Shanks, Dan Kinninmont, a “carry-on” moment which saw Kinninmont spend the majority of his part in boxer shorts. In contrast, the incepts of
Second World War sound bites added to the satirical dramatic nature of the action.
The play’s charm came from the mixture of of relief, comic farce and moments of “carry-on” clarity. Overall, a night of fun and frolicks, a far cry from the misery of the Febrary night or the usual Drama Barn offerings.
