Who'd Have Thought It
Written and Directed by Keith Burton
At the Playhouse 18th - 20th, and 23rd - 24th October
“Who’d Have Thought It”, was first written in 2016 by Pateley Bridge’s award winning playwright, Keith Burton. He has revisited and revised it to create the production we saw this week. It tells the story of the Felliscombe Museum Committee, who need to raise funds to save their Museum.
After a number of failed attempts to raise Government funding, they hit upon the idea of forming a Who tribute act. The only problem is they can’t play any instruments – what can possibly go wrong?
I saw The Who a couple of times in 1970 – once when they recorded the classic Live at Leeds album and again at the Isle of Wight Festival. Felliscombe’s version of the band didn’t quite live up to those experiences but it was the next best thing, and considerably funnier. So, many congratulations to Keith, who not only wrote the play but directed it as well. He managed to wring the maximum amount of laughs out of his script, both verbally and physically.
I understand the cast were the same as last time they performed the play* – that must help you would think? But not so when the script has changed – it brings its own problems. So, full credit to the cast for overcoming that hurdle, as well as having to learn to play their instruments.
The committee consisted of those stereotypical people who tend to sit on committees:-
the pompous Chairman, (Nevin Ward),
the nervy Treasurer (Steve Rouse),
the efficient Secretary (Linda Harvey)
and the flamboyant Curator (Jerry Harvey).
The Church Hall Caretaker, Tallulah Ray, played by Carol Bailey, was a delightful character who created all the problems for the Committee but then solved them as well.
(I still can’t quite believe a character was named in order to get a laugh out of Come On Eileen – respect, Keith).
The “Roger Daltrey” of the band was played by Michael Thorne – an amazing transformation from slightly effeminate choir master to rock god.
Final members of the “speaking” cast were Rachel Joynson, the church organist,
and Joyce Liggins, the ex-fan club secretary.
Although they didn’t speak, Debbie Forsyth and Connie Richards, made the most of their one scene – move the table, that’s how to steal a scene.
And finally, the Choir – I never saw their faces but their backs were a delight.
Many congratulations to the backstage team led by Stage Manager, Justin Enthoven, for a well designed and constructed set – it was inspired to match the Church Hall décor with the theatre’s décor. Costume, props, lighting & sound all added to the overall excellence of the production. The filmed inserts were an inspired addition – well done Chris Iredale.
The entire play builds to the last 5 minutes when the band perform “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and their encore, “Substitute”.
And what a tour de force that climax was – such an amazing feel good ending to the play. For a brief moment, I was transported back to those days in 1970. It would have been an easy option to mime but instead they learned to play their instruments and really rocked it.
Coincidentally, the next show we are going to see is The Who’s Tommy – we shall watch that show while thinking of Felliscombe.
Thank you once again for your hospitality and a wonderful evening’s entertainment, that brought back many happy memories of my youth.
Review by Bryan Craven – NODA.
Photographs by Chris Iredale
*In the original production Hilda was played by Ruth Dodsworth and in this production she was played by Rachel Joynson – Ed.
