Theatre / andrew kingston
Review: Closer Each Day, Wardrobe Theatre
The Wardrobe Theatre’s Closer Each Day is a fortnightly soap opera which is entirely improvised – something that’s easy to forget given the quality of the acting and the crackling wit. Its unscripted nature gives it a raw, exciting edge missing from rehearsed theatre.
This Valentine’s special focused on the relationships of three characters. Reg Longstick (Andy Kelly) receives a surprising card from Suzi and nearly dies choking on a Valentine’s strawberry; Rita (Lucy Harrington) proclaims her love for Simpkins by wearing his face on a vest for the day, while local radio journalist Fred Gonzalez (Andrew Kingston) falls hook, line and sinker for his new rickshaw.
Ridiculous the plotlines may be, but the show is delivered with professionalism thanks to excellent live editing from the on-stage voiceover/director Matthew Whittle. He conjures up just the right soundtrack for the moment, creates flashbacks at will and delights the audience with ever more enjoyable plot advances.
Standout performances came from Lindsey Garwood as the larger-than-life Constance Sugar; one memorable scene saw her performing an unplanned musical duet with John Lomas, who played cockney bully Big Dick Johnson with assurance.
What’s admirable is the cast’s commitment to their characters, so that despite the odd wry smile and self-referential moment, the evening stands up as a jolly good bit of theatre. Andy Kelly and John Lomas are particularly adept at finishing scenes on fantastic one-liners, while a string of biscuit-related insults between Lindsey Gardwood and Sean Duffy as Simpkins were as deft as any script you’ve heard.
Hidden at the back of the Old Market Assembly, this regular night through the double doors of the Wardrobe Theatre felt a bit like a visit to Narnia: unpredictable, but ultimately enchanting.
You can catch an episode of Closer Each Day every second Monday at the Wardrobe Theatre (next episode Monday Feb 29). For more info, visit www.closereachday.co.uk
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