Tom Stoppard's play within a play, part
farce, part send up, and part who-dunnit, receives an enthusiastic
treatment from the the Rep Theatre Company.
The opening act maintains the separation
between the two minor critics and the country house play they have
come to review. The cast find the right level of hamming it up and
playing wooden as necessary although occasionally the timing just
misses. The latter half of the play interlinks the critics and the
country house players to produce a fast paced and unpredictable
ending.
Good direction maintains the humour and
clarity throughout. In particular, the final complicated
scene is well staged to reveal the real Inspector Hound.
Great fun!
***
|