See you next Thursday, as Lee Evans might say.
From the long arm of the law to the long laughter of Barking in Essex, a f!*king day of swearing and laughing. As our intrepid reporter takes on the central criminal court and Barking in Essex.
After a visit to the Old Bailey on Thursday with my daughter we went along to see Barking in Essex at the Wyndham’s theatre. Quite a day for profanity as it turned out. I hasten to add we went to the Old Bailey as interested public observers not on trial. That following on from our visit in the summer when we were refused entry due to the fact that my daughter was inappropriately dressed plus we weren’t allowed in with mobile phones or bags. This time I just had my packet of mints confiscated prior to actually being allowed inside.
Hearing plumy voiced barristers reading out the transcripts of Gangsta style cool dudes conversations, including constant swearing and the over-use of the word ‘innit’ punctuating every sentence was actually slightly more amusing than the profane littered Barking in Essex starring Lee Evans, Shelia Hancock and Keeley Hawes.
Lee Evans, Keely Hawes and Sheila Hancock star in Barking in Essex at the Wyndhams theatre in London
There is no question that Barking in Essex is indeed very funny, and the acting from the whole cast of the very top rung of British comedy, but call me a prude but why oh why does the first act seek to shock with gratuitous swearing, including the very offensive See You Next Tuesday retort, which was the opening line of the play. It could well be argued that people of Essex speak this way, but I do believe that the swearing was over-used, just as ‘Innit’ at the Old Bailey attempted murder trial I witnessed.
The story is written by brilliant playwright, Clive Exton, he responsible for that classic Richard Attenborough film, 10 Rillington Place and many episodes of Poirot. The dialogue and rapport between the characters is natural and extremely funny.
The plot make good use of Lee Evans’s natural fall about and facial comedy talents, but this is no farce. The Packers, a family of dubious background, include mother Emmie, brilliantly played by Shelia Hancock which such wonderful comic timing, son Lee Evans, at his amazing best, his wife (& sister! Don’t ask…just enjoy) Chrissie, portrayed in all her archetypical Essex glory by a fantastic performance from Keeley Hawes. They are facing the dilemma of what to explain to younger brother, Algie, fresh out of prison after 5 years banged up and looking forward to spending his ill-gotten gains, which in the meantime his family have frittered away.
Algie’s newly engaged fiancé, posh tottie Allegra, played by the equally preposterously named Montserrat Lombard, unexpectedly turns up, call in neighbour and hit man Rocco, a brilliant characterisation by Karl Johnson, and you have the recipe for a hilarious comedy play.
The second act has some poignant as well as funny moments and the ending is perhaps not what you might expect. However, it proves what versatile and brilliant actors the whole cast are, particularly Lee Evans, who can do anguished just as fantastically as he does comedy.
Not everyone’s cup of tea perhaps but a comedy play that will hit a nerve and has some tremendous laugh-out-loud moments, or as they would say in Essex you’ll piss yourself with laughter!
Barking in Essex is on at the Wyndham’s theatre in London for a limited period only until the 4th January 2014. Book Barking in Essex tickets at the Wyndham’s theatre now.
