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HULL TRUCK THEATRE - showing till Saturday January 24th 2004
GODBER BACK FOR FESTIVE LAUGHS
Black Tie and Tales
BLACK TIE AND TALES
John Godber returns to the laughs for the festive season in this Upstairs Downstairs style comedy.
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FACTS

John Godber has been artistic director of Hull Truck Theatre since 1984.

Actor Robert Angell appeared in the last ever episode of ITV1's 'Cold Feet'.

Amy Thompson graduated from Hull University with a BA in Drama.

Dicken Ashworth has made numerous TV appearances including 'Where the Heart Is', Heartbeat, Coronation Street and BBCi's Interactive Drama 'Thunder Road' written by Godber.

Fiona Wass has appeared at the Hull Truck Theatre on many an occasion including 'It Started With a kiss', Teechers and Beauty and The Beast'.

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Set in the fictitious Bagley Hall on the outskirts of Hull, his recent murder fest might have upped the tension but this is a far more relaxed affair.

Loosely twined with 'Screaming Blue Murder' though not a sequel, this is again set in Bagley Hall on the same night and with the same talented cast (playing different roles). If you've seen 'Screaming Blue Murder' it certainly lends an extra dimension to the performance although it's certainly not needed to enjoy the laughs at this witty look at the differences between upper and lower class life.

As the night comes to a close hotel porters Ronnie and Keith (played by Dicken Ashworth and Rob Angell) start to pack away the remains of a high society charity ball as they discuss the differences between the classes.

Rob Angell puts in an almost 'Trigger' like performance as the down to earth pie and chips man miles away from the sinister roles I've seen him in of late and Dicken Ashworth is hugely enjoyable as he bickers his way through the dialogue coming to the conclusion that he's no different to the rest of them... or is he?

Amy Thomson and Fiona Wass are on fine form from sweaty hotel staff to sexy evening ladies as the 4 piece cast effortlessly sways between night workers to richer than rich drunken guests attempting to steal each others partners.

My only gripe comes from use of space as this witty piece of theatre fails to surprise me in terms of stage presence as the story glues itself to one area of the stage, the front. I've seen some highly original theatre at the Hull Truck of late where things literally jump out at the audience and this sadly just lacks imagination in what you see… The performances are fantastic, the script tight and the laughs were there… but I failed to be swept away and for me it fails to offer the wow factor.


By BBCi Humber's David Reeves

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