No Sex Please, We're British

Fareham Musical Society

Fernham Hall, Fareham

The comedy tells the story of a newly-wed couple (Ben Tanner and Clare Blackburn), who unwittingly become besieged with an embarrassment of pornography, starting with photos and progressing to scantily clad women. This would have been more manageable, were it not for their house guests – his mother (Marina Voak), with her grandeur and veiled complements, his stern boss (Roger Trencher) and an auditor, with a reputation for no nonsense (Graeme Clements). In over their heads, they coerce the hapless book-keeper (Ben Lister) to help them dispose of the evidence.

The play relies on sexual innuendo and physical comedy, which is a little dated, but amusing nonetheless. Lister (director) was substituted in during the week due to illness and does a stupendous job, leaping about the stage and seamlessly interacting with his fellow actors, while Tanner and Blackburn have a charming 70’s sitcom demeanour and some laudable facial expressions and comic timing. The only weak link was the sparse audience, whose flagging end-of-week energy dampened what was an excellent production.

Rebecca Case