DOLPHIN THEATRE AUCKLAND 1 JULY 2025
Four of my oldest grand daughters came out with me to experience a night of live Theatre. This is a collection of four one act comedies set in a luxurious London Hotel.
Act one scene one is “A case of settling accounts” Gavin Leary as Brian (a writer) and Michael Mangano as Billy (his financial manager).Brian discovers Billy has stolen his invested earnings from writing. Being a playwriter you depend on actors to interpret your art to the audience. Both actors do this very well…Michael Mangano shows a strong John Cleese influence…. perfect for this drama, dodging round and finding excuses to cover the questions Brian asks about his money. There is something about Live Theatre that you do not get on film and TV.
Director Brynna Kumar
Act One scene two “Going Home” Ngaire Ann Hobson as Mrs Semple (a well off widow) and Lyndsey Garner as Lauren (her daughter).They arrive for their final night in London after a shopping trip. Lauren persuades her mother to accept a dinner invitation from a wealthy Scotsman. Where everything that can go wrong does. Both actresses make the witty funny ,and clever writing of Simon come alive.
Director Carolyn Loader
Act two scene one. “Diana and Sidney”. Trudy Price as Diana(a successful Hollywood TV show host. Emily Durham as Grace (Diana’s assistant) ,and John Palmer as Sidney(Diana’s bi-sexual ex husband).
Diana meets with her gay ex husband Sidney, when he requests her help, after finding out he is terminally ill. John Palmer’s John Hurt influence comes through strongly here… really bringing the character to life.( I am thinking about John Hurt’s performance in the film “The naked civil servant”.) Trudy and Emily bring all the subtle twists and turns of the plot to life, how Diana and Sidney still care for each other.
Director Richard Martin.
Act Two scene two. “Man on the floor”
Merrin Cavel as Annie, Paul Greenfield as Mark,and Paul Thompson as
Doctor McMerlin.
Annie and Mark are a New York couple having a dream trip to Wimbleton,
but everything goes wrong. Including misplacing the tickets,and Mark putting
his back out…. needing the help of Doctor McMerlin.
With Merrin and Paul’s performance I can see the influence of Lucy Ball and
Desi Arnaz in “I love Lucy” .It was said some of those episodes the scenes were
filmed live.Paul McMerlin has the influence of Billy Connolly, accessing this
character is brilliant and brings up the humor even more.
Director Carleen Craig.
Geoffrey Totton
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