The Good Life

(Photo: Jane Leadbetter and Mike Woodhead as Tom & Barbara Good)

The Lass O'Gowrie, Manchester

By John Esmonde and Bob Larbey

Review

Adapted from the much-loved BBC sit-com of the 1970s, ‘The Good Life’ is a cracking, feel-good, heart-warming and often hilarious piece of theatre. Lass O’Gowrie Productions continues to build on its reputation for bringing popular television shows to the stage, and proving that there’s nothing like the immediate thrill of a live action performance. Director Brainne Edge has a superb ensemble to work with, and delivers another triumph following on from successful adaptations of ‘The Likely lads’ and ‘Midnight’ (based on the Russell T Davies Dr Who story, and one of the best stage shows I’ve ever seen). Recreating iconic characters is never easy, and following in the footsteps of star-making tv performances from Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith must have been particularly daunting. Mike Woodhead and Jane Leadbetter as Tom and Barbara Good – a suburban couple seeking ‘the good life’ by turning their backs on the consumer society – make a superb double act, successfully making the characters their own, yet channelling the theatrical spirits of Briers and Kendal. Likewise, Matt Seber and Rachel Newton as neighbours Jerry and Margo make a beautiful team (with Ms Newton almost managing to steal every scene she’s in as the ridiculously posh Margo, forever battling to uphold traditional conservative standards). Three classic episodes were presented in the intimate space of the 35 seater upstairs theatre which works fantastically well for shows like this. First up was ‘Whose Fleas Are These?’ wherein an infestation of insects causes havoc, particularly with Margo’s social standing. Sean Mason’s energetic performance as the overzealous pest control man was inspired. Best of the lot was ‘Posh Frock’ which saw Jane Leadbetter take centre stage to steal our hearts as Barbara struggles to accept her new role as ‘one of the boys’.  This was a classic example of a canny script (matched with expert comic timing) eliciting tears and laughter in equal measure.  Finally we had ‘Silly, But It’s Fun’ (the 1977 Christmas special), a perfect mix of good-natured, homely comedy guaranteed to warm the cockles and beautifully illustrate what Christmas really means. Marcus McMillan as a cocky, surreally philosophical delivery man provided the second of the evening’s hilarious cameo roles. John Esmonde and Bob Larbey’s original scripts have certainly stood the test of time, and combined here with a first rate cast, and a sharp director, deliver a perfect reminder of the golden age of television comedy.

Runs until Sat 8^th December

This review was first published at  http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-good-life-the-lass-ogowrie-manchester/

Tags: John Esmonde, Bob Larbey, Lass O’Gowrie, The Good Life, Mike Woodhead, Jane Leadbetter, Rachel Newton, Matt Seber, Sean Mason, Marcus McMillan, Brainne Edge, Manchester