Dumb Waiter is the Star of the Show

Old Town Theatre company have the ability to amaze me at every opportunity.

The theatre was almost full for this first night of what could only be described as superb entertainment. Have you ever been to a murder mystery party, or one of those weekend jaunts where you enter into the spirit of the thing? This audience obviously had. They were up for it the minute they walked in.

Lance Hodges, the director of this whodunnit, did a great job in making it seem unscripted, as I'm sure a great deal of it was. He also needs a medal for taking it on in the first place. It could have fallen flat on its face, but for the actors who did some superb ad-libbing and had a wonderful rapport with the audience.

Mike Bull as Ruby Pinkbottom resembled a panto dame. Some great double entendre in his lines just added to his charm, or lack of it.

Ashley Heath played Cameron Worthleston, suave but slightly dim. His grilling from the audience session was exceptionally well played out.

Now you might think I'm completely mad but I thought the star was the waiter Alf, played by Richard Large, who had me in fits.

He didn't utter a word and even during the audience participation bits, when he may have thought no-one was watching him, his ability to act at getting slowly drunk was a riot.

This was an adventurous, innovative idea, ingeniously executed and enjoyed by everyone.

Ros Hollands
Swindon Evening Advertiser
Wednesday, 29 May 2002