Comedy with a Cherry On Top!
Waiting for Gateaux
South Shields Customs House
Wednesday 10th – Saturday 13th June 2015
Dirty Dusting’s writers Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood have penned another slice of comedy gold which is on at South Shield’s Customs House this week.
Welcome to “Motivators” – a select health club for those who love food. Perhaps they love food too much. As much as they suggest having a sprout crumble following Christmas, they like to finish their work out with chips, or a pizza, or both.
Maureen, played by the lovely Philippa Lyall who was making her Customs House debut, runs the club and makes the meal suggestions. She is a real diamond in the rough and sees the good in everyone.
Donald is the only man who attends and he has lost a lot of weight as a huge photo reminds us. Paul Dunn clearly has fun playing the chap with a hang up over the lack of male changing facilities.
The select group is completed by Jackie – a role which earns Laura Lonsdale a lot of laughs from the South Shields’ crowd.
The story starts just after the excess of Christmas and Jackie brings along her sister. She was christened Whitney, after Miss Houston, but prefers to be known as Raven in tribute to Edgar Allen Poe. Raven dresses in black and listens to Marilyn Manson records which is in stark contrast to the usual bright lycra and pumping dance music that accompanies keep fit classes. Sarah Boulter is also making her Customs House debut and she gets her share of laughs as the sharp-witted Raven.
Excitement spreads through the group when Maureen takes a call from Sophie who wants to make a tv programme called “Disarming The Obesity Timebomb”. Despite trying to be nonchalant about it, they are keen to impress.
When Sophie appears Maureen quickly signs the contract but this is not before the audience has plenty of opportunities to laugh at everyone’s exercise technique. Sophie is a strong character and Christina Berriman Dawson is terrific as the lady who thinks she is a cut above the rest.
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The show is full of quick nuggets of comedy gold in the dialogue which come thick and fast throughout the show. The shows adds extra portions of funny situations and a side dish of some quality sight gags.
Gareth Hunter has directed and produced another delightful show. Waiting For Gateaux is both a great story, with plenty of twists and turns, and a super serving of comedy. It’s a show that leaves the audience with a smile on its face.
This review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East Theatre Guide by Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Tickets:
Waiting for Gateaux will be performed at the Customs House from Wednesday, June 10, to Saturday, June 13 at 7.30pm, with a matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £13 and £11 (conc).
