Leading Ladies

Sometimes it’s good to sit and watch a well-constructed comedy into which the actors can add generous slices of ham. Such is Ken Ludwig’s Leading Ladies, which in the experienced hands of Adelaide’s Therry Dramatic Society and the play’s Director Jude Hines is a hoot from go to whoa.

This farce uses various comedic devices well to create the hilarious and fast-paced action, for example cross-dressing that’s intended to deceive (also a feature of Thornton Wilder’s The Beaux’ Stratagem) and including a play within a play (as in Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Our Country’s Good).

Jack Gable and Leo Clark are British thespians who aren’t setting the world on fire in terms of both talent and takings as they tour the USA with their show, which is based on excerpts from Shakespearean plays. Desperate measures are needed and when ambitious Leo reads in the newspapers that a dying and exceedingly wealthy widow is looking for two long-lost British nephews to inherit part of her fortune, he seizes the opportunity to impersonate them to gain funds and boost his future options. Even a last minute realisation that the sought-after long lost relatives are nieces, not nephews, doesn’t deter Leo as he drags along reluctant but malleable co-conspirator Jack to the dying woman’s mansion. Chaos ensues as love turns everything upside down for both men.

Even before the uniformly excellent cast hits their straps, Stanley Tuck‘s sumptuous and beautifully finessed set is enough to indicate this will be a quality production.  

The comedy’s first scene has fine impact too and sets the scene, with very good use of the auditorium and the apron of the stage, creating a ‘travelling thespian’ atmosphere that introduces Leo and Jack.

Jock Dunbar is wonderful as Jack Gable and as the young thespian’s alter ego Stephanie. Dunbar has great comic timing and a great talent for physical comedy. Patrick Clements is maniacally marvelous as both Leo Clark and the raven-wigged Maxine. These two actors bounce off each other, just as an exceptional comic duo should.

Laura Antoniazzi plays Meg Snyder with a wide-eyed vulnerability that reminds me of a young Audrey Hepburn. Antoniazzi has great stage presence, excellent diction, does an effortlessly perfect American accent in this production and is an actor to watch out for on the Adelaide stage. An excellent performance.

Mollie Mooney is a roller-skating delight in the zany role of Audrey and is another young actor making her mark.

Steve Marvanek performs the difficult role of stuffy, controlling Duncan Wooley very well, ensuring a strong foil for the madcap antics occurring in the household.

Tim Blackshaw as Doctor Meyers and Aled Proeve as Butch Meyers/ Moose Frank provide some hilariously comic moments, as does veteran performer Penni Hamilton-Smith as the dying dowager. They ham it up to the hilt.

Costumes are excellent and a perfectly choreographed tango, courtesy of Rose Vallen, is another of the delicious touches in this excellent farce.

Therry is on a winner with Leading Ladies and audiences are guaranteed a raucous and rib-tickling comedy experience they won’t forget in a hurry.

Lesley Reed