REVIEW: The Jailhouse Frocks opened one day later than expected due to cast illness on Thursday, November 27, to a packed house of patrons expecting an evening of hilarity.
I don’t think anyone would have gone away disappointed.
The story revolves around a naive deputy officer who is about to have his night turned upside down by three highly unusual “guests”.
By the end of the night these guests will, by necessity, have to team up and defeat the bad guy of this story.
The curtain opened to a convincing scene of an overnight cell in the small town of Birchwood attached to a police reception area, manned by the extremely incompetent but highly enthusiastic Officer Dwayne.
He is eager to please his superiors and hoping to make an arrest of a lifetime.
As a relatively newcomer to theatre, Bailey Thompson filled his boots with this role and I enjoyed his energetic performance that he maintained with loads of enthusiasm throughout the night.
Thompson also surprised with a good singing voice and a mesmerising portrayal later in the evening of his favourite flamboyant entertainer.
Accompanying Officer Dwayne in the opening scene was Cathy Munroe, an eccentric and somewhat sweet but dim-witted character, with very odd fetishes played by Chere Stevenson.
Stevenson was impressive and her professionalism took on a whole new dimension as she stepped in at short notice for Mary Baron. Having only two weeks to prepare, she was just excellent to watch. I tip my hat to her.
Next to enter was the fiery, uptight, snobby Elena Davidson (the mayor’s wife.)
Accessorised with smeared lipstick, pearls and lots of flouncing, Jenny McKegney-Brown’s booming, powerful voice was at times scary enough to make some of the closer audience members mightily grateful she didn’t have access to a chainsaw in the jail cell.
She also treated us to a very competent rendition of Respect.
Briar Tucker rounds out the trio of troubled ladies as Gloria Romano, a tough mobster’s wife complete with a New York accent.
Tucker’s experience shined through and I thought she contributed well to the humour without pushing for the laughs, even though her character was probably the one mostly grounded in reality.
Justin Lowcay played the mobster Tony Romano. Initially masquerading as an FBI agent with questionable side burns and moustache, he later returned very menacingly to silence his run-away wife.
He was well suited to the role with his physicality and the contrast he showed from underplaying the FBI agent then transforming to a violent thuggish mobster capable of killing was great to watch.
I would loved to have seen Andrew Beale on stage rather than ranting through the radio as Officer Dwayne’s ever growing impatient Chief. He is an exceptional talent with great comedic timing and such a waste to keep him hidden from our view even if that was what the script called for.
Sometimes the script dipped a little low into the toilet bowl (literally) which felt like the playwright Devon Williamson was resorting to gutter humour to keep the laughs coming.
This just wasn’t necessary. The quirky characters and the situation they found themselves in was enough to keep the audience engaged.
Director Emma Walker has contributed admirably to the local theatre scene and has accomplished a madcap piece of eccentric entertainment perfect for the Christmas party season.
She can be exceptionally proud of her team and this play is definitely one to go see if you are looking for giggles, guffaws and good times.
The Jailhouse Frocks, until December 13 at New Plymouth Little Theatre.