Tripe! Bolton Little Theatre. Until Saturday
FOLLOWING on from last year's hit "Wakes", Bolton Little Theatre brings us up to date with Bolton's Walker family in 1955.
Writer Roger Spencer has opted for the tried and tested formula that has proved such a success -- dialect-driven language, framed by catchy songs and nostalgic tableaux, with a healthy injection of wit and style from director Andrew Close and the company.
The action takes place in Walker's Tripe shop, the Palais de Danse and the Grand Theatre as Uncle Bill, Shirley and Rita are reunited with band leader Eddie James and hearthrob singer Johnny Romero, whom they previously met in Blackpool, which was the subject of "Wakes".
There are strong performances from Eric Cheetham (Uncle Bill), Dave Eyre (Johnny) and Steve Gill (Eddie), while Heliene Godding and Christine Flanigan breathe girlish life into Shirley and Rita.
Good, confident turns, too, come from Stephen Knowles as Charlie and David Smart as the Grand Theatre compere, who leads us through a second act variety bill in which cast members give us music hall treats.
There is also lovely support from Sue Bolus, Karen Burford, John Towers, Georgie Smart and Ian Phillips.
Major plaudits, though, to Mark Leigh who, along with Godding, possesses an excellent comic presence, Jeff Lunt as the grotesque, hilarious Malcolm, and Stuart O'Hara, who again takes on multiple roles and makes all of them showstoppers.
A sepia-tinted, aspic-flavoured delight.
Nigel McFarlane
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