Having never seen or read Mike Stott’s multi-award winning comedy, I was unsure what to expect. However, the new production starring Craig Gazey and Suzanne Shaw had me laughing deep belly laughs throughout both halves of the two hour play. And I wasn’t alone; all of the audience, ages ranging from 16 to 80, were in hysterics as the antics of Trevor Tinsley and co played out on stage.
For anyone who doesn’t know the play, a word of warning - only take your mother along to this if she is made of strong stuff. Yes, she’s seen it all before, but perhaps not whilst sitting next to you! The notion of free love is explored from every angle here and I’m not sure one of the ladies in front of me was quite expecting to see quite so much of Mr Gazey...
When you think about the fact that this play was written in the 1970s, it’s a wonder Stott got away with it! Adultery, strong language, nudity, the mention of certain Latin terms, a gay vicar, a rather put upon barrel, not to mention the last scene (you’ll see what I mean) all make this a rather risqué show for our time, let alone forty years ago!
All of the characters shone individually, Suzanne Shaw in particular as put-upon housewife Irene (though one of her lines “I know I’m not much to look at” didn’t quite ring true coming from the lips of the gorgeous Ms Shaw), but the show was very nearly stolen by Steven Blakely and Vicky Entwistle. Blakely gave a hilarious and often touching portrayal of innocent Stanley Baldry and Entwistle was brilliant as his nosy but lonely mother.
Set in the Pennines in the mid-70s, Funny Peculiar follows Trevor as he explores ‘free love’, in all it’s many forms. As ever in these kinds of comedies, nothing really works out exactly how he would like it to. But although the plot may be somewhat predictable, it doesn’t change the fact that this is a thoroughly entertaining production.
Contains strong language and nudity.
Funny Peculiar runs at Theatre Royal Windsor until Saturday February 4.
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