Key for Two by John Chapman and Dave Freeman
Director Graham Dack
Wanganui Amdram, Guyton St
December 8-9 at 7.30pm December 11 at 2pm
December 14-17 at 7.30pm
Reviewed by Mary Bryan
Christmas time can be stressful and a sure way to unwind is this laugh-a-minute farce.
By two of Britain most acclaimed comedy writers - Freeman's credits include some of the Carry On series while Chapman collaborated on The Liver Birds.
Although Key for Two was written some time ago it's humour and story line and performance deserve a sold out season.
The storyline revolves around divorcee Harriet (Talia Annear-Kjoss), who loves the finer things in life - top quality spirits, jewellery... She has an elegant Brighton apartment and finances her life style as the mistress of two married men - Gordon (Julian Annear) and Alec (Mike Street).
Neither men know about each other, but is all that is about to change?.
Her friend Anne (Sarah Riley- Curtis) suddenly arrives from New Zealand quickly followed by an injured Gordon. Then Alec turns up for his scheduled visit and not long after Anne's alcoholic husband Richard (Chris McLaughlin).
It is then the audience is kept guessing. The situation becomes more complicated when Gordon's wife Magda (Andrea Macleod) arrives and soon after Alec's wife Mildred (Carol Teutscher).
Graham Dack's tight direction, the entire cast's clear diction and total oneness with their role ensures one is fully engaged.
Newcomer to Amdram Teutscher, has a considerable background in theatre which shines through in her portrayal of Alec's wife.
Other highlights include the rapport between Annear -Kjoss as Harriet and Riley-Curtis as Anne and their quick wit; Annear's staid portrayal of Gordon; Street's ability to portray multi-faceted Alec; McLaughlin "drunken" antics while Macleod proves there is much more to Gordon's wife.
Crew and cast are to be congratulated for this great show.