Keep on Laughing
One of Old Mill Theatre’s most popular and funniest plays of 2024 was comedy Exit Laughing. Directed by Dale James, it featured old friends and bridge partners meeting to play after the death of their friend and fellow bridge player Mary. Audiences fell in love with the trio of Connie, Leona and Millie.
Keep on Laughing is the sequel to Exit Laughing, and while possibly not as riotously funny as its predecessor, it does feature the same three delightful characters. Returning from a trip to Paris funded by Mary’s legacy and desire, we learn that Connie has fallen in love with a much younger (and French) man.
Last year’s beloved actresses return to their leading roles, with Siobhan Vincent playing Connie with depth and honesty, Karin Staflund a delight as outspoken Leona and Kerry Goode showing outstanding timing as the daffy Millie, not always the brightest crayon in the box. The three continue to have excellent rapport and the audience are excited to become reacquainted with these lovely ladies.
Connie’s daughter Rachel, whom we met in the original is now married to her stripper and law student boyfriend Bobby, is 9 months pregnant with twins, and is fed-up and hormonal. The couple are now beautifully portrayed by real-life couple Ffion Bishop and Garrison Cox, both inhabiting the characters well and perhaps unsurprisingly have very believable and natural rapport. Hunky new love interest Michel is portrayed by Darren Goodison, charming, and speaking with a convincing French accent.
A good-looking production, George Boyd’s original set has been recreated by a large reconstruction and painting team, creating a realistic and attractive living space, which is nicely lit from a design by Elliot Brinsden-Rolfe.
You don’t need to have seen the original to enjoy this funny and fresh little comedy. Well worth a look.
Kimberley Shaw
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