Theatre

Eric Swan has a problem. Poor guy lost his job at the Electricity board two years ago and so far he's managed to keep if from wife Linda – until now that is; he's not short of a bob or three – he's got a lodger, Norman Bassett, he's a lumber jack. No he's a shoe salesman.

And then we have the other lodgers, their wives and kids all of whom are currently unemployed or suffering various ailments and living under the same roof (supposedly). Then there’s Uncle George he lends a hand now and again. Car booting is his specialty shifting surgical wigs, corsets and stockings - nice little earner. Now have I dropped you enough clues? No?!

Then what if I tell you that for the last two years the DSS have quite happily footed the bill for Eric's lodgers (isn't that kind?) just one thing though they don't really exist. What's this I hear you say? Has Eric lost his marbles? No not quite. But when Norman (the real lodger) opens the door to a DSS Inspector Eric could stand to lose a great deal more!

Norman Bassett (no relation to Bertie or Allsorts) is about to board a roller coaster he may well not want to get off this side of his wedding to the delightful Brenda especially when he's already dead from Laser fever, fell out of a tree and is profoundly deaf (what was that?).

Cash on Delivery

Wife Linda's gone and discovered Uncle George's little female extras in the cupboard assuming cross dressing features strongly on her husbands agenda she's called in a psychiatrist.

Mr. Jenkins the DSS Inspector downs a bottle of Sherry, gets struck by lighting chased by a rebellious washing machine and sheds his fear of boss Miss. Cowper.

And if that wasn't enough a corpse turns up as does the bereavement counsellor along with the undertaker and to top the lot Norman has a little 'Willie' that's his son - Please!
I feel a farce coming on, quick show me a door!

I've seen some farces in my time you either love them or hate them. This one I loved. S.A.D.O.S pulled out all the stops and the jokes! The old ones are always the best, corny I know delivered properly by proficient actors and actresses they are still diamonds.

Norman Bassett's (Mark Yates) facial expressions, brumy accent and his grumbles of
'I don't like this' or 'I can't get my head round this' his overall energy and timing was sheer perfection as was Uncle George (Ben White) and the straight laced Ms. Forbright (Ros Blowers) how she managed to keep a straight face I will never know!

Not forgetting uptight Mr. Jenkins (Keith Hodges) or was that all down to the sherry?! Mayhem worked beautifully superb direction of a great cast a genre well and truly mastered and a brilliant extremely funny production.

Interesting Facts

• S.A.D.O.S. as it's known today presents many productions during the year including their ever popular pantomimes.
• Michael Cooney, screen writer, has also written plays along with his Father Ray Cooney.