A PLAY on a boat about a play on a boat may not sound like the easiest thing to follow.
But Woodley Theatre’s latest offering, Rough Crossing by Tom Stoppard, is a rollercoaster ride which keeps the audience gripped from start to finish.
Directed by Ben May, Rough Crossing follows the metaphorical, emotional and physical journey of playwrights Sandor Turai (Barrie Armstrong) and Alex Gal (Frank Kaye) as they struggle to complete their latest musical, which happens to be opening in New York in just four days’ time. Joined by genius composer Adam Adam (Benjamin Gray) who has been struck down with a speech impediment caused by his mother’s release from prison, his beautiful fiancee and leading lady Natasha Navrátilova (Nanette Naudé), and her co-star and secret lover Ivor Fish (Chris Pett) aboard the S.S. Italian Castle, the pair battle against writer’s block while struggling to keep their company from literally going overboard.
The action takes place within Turai’s stateroom on the cruise liner, where he, Gal and Adam overhear Natasha and Ivor’s flirtations in the next room. In a bid to save heartbroken Adam from throwing himself in the sea, Turai comes up with the brilliant plan to work the clandestine couple’s amorous words into the ending of the play, and convincing Adam that what he overheard was simply a rehearsal of lines. Chaos ensues as the characters attempt to stay afloat amid the murky waters of their deceit.
For an amateur theatre production, Rough Crossing has all the hallmarks of a professional show. From the incredible acting and singing skills of South African-born Naudé, who keeps up a perfect Russian accent throughout, to the sharp timing of Armstrong and the hilarious expressions of Kaye, this is a cast who dwarf the Oakwood Centre stage. Chris Pett’s Fish, complete with dodgy hairpiece, is a loveable rogue of a character, you simply love to hate him, while Gray’s Adam is sweet and vulnerable yet able to turn a speech impediment into a hilarious comic aide.
The star of the show, however, has got to be Ashleigh Wells as the cabin steward Dvornichek, otherwise known as Murphy. From the moment he steps onstage, each time with an ill-fated cognac meant for Turai but destined for his own lips, Dvornichek keeps the audience in stitches with his lightning-speed one-liners and incredible ability to summarise the plot of the show to the otherwise clueless characters. Swaying around while the boat is perfectly still, yet maintaining his balance when passing through a storm (brilliantly choreographed by the cast and stage crew, complete with swaying chandelier), he is the perfect addition to every scene and a pleasure to watch.
If all the talk of referendums and grass-cutting is dragging you under, then hop aboard the S.S. Italian Castle for a one-night cruise that you won’t forget.
Rough Crossing is at Woodley Theatre until Saturday. Tickets are £10, or £8 for concessions, £5 for balcony seats. For more information and to book visit www.woodleytheatre.org.
