CURTAIN CALL REVIEW
‘RISING DAMP’
Titchfield Festival Theatre
ERIC Chappell’s situation comedy ran for twenty-eight episodes between 1974 and 1978.
Cantankerous landlord Rigsby rents out bedsits in his ramshackle house but cannot leave his residents in peace. Leonard Rossiter’s iconic portrayal of Rigsby was memorable in the much-loved series, so Director Kevin Fraser had big boots to fill by taking up the challenge. Fill them he did, in some style, with all the mannerisms there as we were treated to two 1975 episodes: The Prowler and Charisma. Alec Clements matched Fraser’s masterful performance with a very confident one of his own, as medical student Alan, alongside Mikhail McKay as Phillip. Miss Jones, the object of Rigsby’s unrequited passion, was well played by Nadine Redman and multiple cameo appearances were made by Marion Galvin, David Clarke and Andrew Bumfrey. Frank Varesi designed a truly wonderful set, thoughtfully accessorised to even include Vienna the cat. Damp maybe, but no sign of rot!
Alan Johns
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