Reviews

Hari and Max are trying again. Having lost a difficult son, forever swearing and asking for money, they attempt to build a new one from an IKEA-style flat pack. Despite Max’s nervousness and the low-grade standard of the instructions provided, a correct (or near-correct) assembly is achieved and a ‘perfect son’ is made. Despite occasional embarrassing moments, the family is at last complete.

Unlike Alfred Hitchcock’s 1938 movie adaptation, playwright Derek White goes back to the original novel by Ethel Lina White published in 1936 – and sticks as closely as possible to the story and the characters White created.

Everything went right at the Play That Goes Wrong at the Sydney Opera House, as the well-oiled machine of chaos was perfectly choreographed to squeeze fits of laughter from the audience at regular intervals.

On its tenth anniversary tour of Australia, the fun begins in the foyer, with cast members frantically asking the audience if they knew where a missing dog had gone.

In the theatre, my plus one was amused to see actors tumbling over our seats.

Irish Theatre Players One Act Season consisted of four short Irish two-handers, with two directors. Performing for the first time at Wembley Community Hall, after the loss of their long-term venue, the plays shared a stage manager Grainne Friel and a Lighting and Sound Coordinator Fiona Reid.

Grainne also coordinated the sets, props and costumes.