EVEN a last-minute enforced change of venue could not daunt this always-watchable company from mounting a most enjoyable version of Joan Macalpine’s adaptation of Henry Fielding’s bawdy 18th century romp through the bedrooms and taverns of Somerset and London.
Attractively staged ‘in the round’ in the Collingwood sports hall, director Phil Pennington’s well-acted and good-looking production had all the cleavage, cuckoldry and comedy one could wish for, Ed Owen-Jones leading the company as the lusty but likeable Tom, more than ably supported by Liz Philo’s wonderfully wanton Mrs Walters, Laura Woodward’s seductive and sluttish Molly Seagrim, and Ashleigh Motley as Tom’s true love, the well-bred Sophia Western.
In a strong supporting cast of scoundrels, hypocrites and outraged parents, there were delightful cameos from Lorraine White as lovelorn serving wench Susan and Jane Blatch-Gainey as the pompous but lecherous tutor Thwackum.
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