by Ian Diddams
images by Ian Diddams & Lisa Hounsome
A few weeks ago I scribbled a preview of this production – Bullshot Crummond. I extolled its virtues of daftness, craziness, car chases, sword fights, stage punches, raised eyebrows, lingerie, and deadly tarantulas. Not forgetting the high dangerous converse forcefield!
Read that preview for further descriptions of this manic show – I’m not like Abba, I don’t repeat my previous work in a new album article. But I will mention the phenomenal work undertaken by the stage crew in ensuring the often quite substantial and complex scene changes were slick and not lengthy, allied to perfect performances by the actors who often opened the scene in reduced, spot lighting while the set change was being completed in darkened areas elsewhere on stage. This area alone was a joy and treat to behold – if one could tear one’s eyes from the fast paced, joke-a-minute action on stage.
Matt Nation plays the gung-ho, patriarchal overly confident Bullshot Crummond splendidly, with his perfectly executed raised right eyebrow while his arch enemy, villain Otto von Brunno is quite brilliantly delivered by master of the quick change Iorwerth Mitchell.
Otto’s wife, sidekick and evil femme fatale Lenya is deliciously portrayed by Natalia Weicƶorek, with Josie May-Ross displaying a fine selection of lingerie [ Ed. It’s NOT that kind of show!] as wonderful wupper-cwust heroine Miss Wosemary Fenton.
Her boffin Deddy, Professor Rupert Fenton fills the part of slightly crazed looking scientist (somewhere between Frankenstein and Doc Brown!) delivered with panache by Tim Carter.
That leaves a plethora of ensemble and cameo roles filled by some of the principals but also the hilarious James Vallance as Algy Longwort, Crummonds’ less than intelligent friend
and a bored waiter, alleged one armed police inspector and German hitman seamlessly performed by Jack Sandbach.
Hugh Darwin almost steals the show as the quite superb Marovitch, a henchman – never has a man ever been made for the role so perfectly; Hugh also provides a country police officer.
All that remains is to mention the narrator and bombshell Chloe Harris as a Cabaret style MC teasing her way though the action and the men in the audience.
The back stage crew already praised consisted of Penny “Handstand” Clegg and Sarah Larmour Shearn, while tech as ever was a slickly delivered by Alex Latham with the phenomenal Moray MacDonald on sound and original music. This crew delivered a stunning array of on and off-stage special, lighting and sound effects. Don’t blink – because you will miss something if not several things at once!
Unsurpringly the set is down to the usual genius of Rich Canning and his team while Chrissy Fryers and Charlotte Howard are responsible for the delightful costumes.
And of course maybe last, but always first, the stunning vision and planning and sleepless nights of director Charlotte Howard, ably assisted by the multi talented producer, Toby Slelton.
Is this the “best” written play ever? No. Is it the deepest and most soul affecting show? No. Is it a show you will laugh at constantly, wish to see again and yearn to never end? Most definitely – if I hadn’t already a full diary this week, I’d come every night if I could.
This may be a light hearted, silly romp but make no mistake… behind all the laughs and silliness are hours and hours of planning, preparation, and presentation; physical challenges and endless practice – and a doff of a hat here also to choreographer and stage combat director Alexander Meadow… chapeau! The comedic timing, the stage craft, the scene changes, all require hours of practise to appear seamless. And this cast and crew have excelled in their bid to make this all appear effortless, an achievement but a team on tbe top of their game.
“Bullshot Crummond” is sheer escapism at its finest, in the same vein as ‘Allo ‘Allo with its gentle racial generalisations and parodies building a stupid story of derring-do, innate and misguided heroism, and above all… being ridiculously and stupidly….BRITISH!
“Bullshot Crummond” is performed at the Rondo Theatre, Larkhall, Bath from June 17th-20th at7.30pm. Tickets are available from ticketsource. Proceeds from this show will go to support “Man Down” a local men’s mental health charity and for that reason alone this show deserves your patronage.
Do go and see it. Then go again and take your friends. Resistance is futile!
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