Theft

Serial Productions’ Theft is a clever, rather black little comedy thriller, which has one of the brightest, most eye-catching posters of 2022. Performing at Old Mill Theatre, I had the pleasure of attending the fundraising performance for the Western Australia Heart and Lung Transplant Foundation. Great to see a theatre company supporting such a great cause.

Set designer George Boyd is king of the box set, creating a beautiful stage design that immediately establishes the situation - a robbery and ransacking in a tasteful, upper-class country home. John and Barbara Mills return from dinner with long-time friends Jenny and Trevor Farrington to discover their home has been ransacked and burgled. Inside the home, we find Spriggs, a burglar who initially convinces the group that he is an investigating policeman, but, once revealed as the culprit, manipulates each character to break down friendships and relationships.

This is a strong ensemble cast who work well together, despite particular challenges at this performance. John Pomfrett is solid and convincing as the wealthy John Miles, working expertly with and against the excellent Jacqui Warmer as his long-suffering wife Barbara - a very nicely realised performance. Ian Banks was believable as Trevor Farrington, with Richard Hadler in his element as the conniving and manipulative Spriggs - handling this charming, wordy and tricky central role with aplomb.

On the evening of this review, Kylie Isaia, who plays Jenny Farrington, had succumbed to Covid. Neroli Sweetman, with just hours’ notice, had stepped into the role - and while she performed with script in hand, her nicely under-stated performance was fully realised, and it was easy to forget that she was performing this role for the first time.

This solid, nicely directed production featured a highly effective lighting design from John Woolrych and sound design from George Boyd.

A must-see for lovers of a good British Comedy, Theft had its audience intrigued and involved throughout.

Kimberley Shaw