It was a braw, bricht, moonlit nicht on the evening Unnecessary Farce opened at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge.
The full moon may have contributed but it was this unique brand of Scottish brogue and well-executed buffoonery that had the audience howling.
A farce is rarely necessary, but the performance gleaned the best from its genre, providing the audience necessary medicine where laughter is a tonic.
The premise serves well as a vehicle for horseplay and campy characterization. Two rookie cops hole up in a motel, planting a camera in the adjacent room in an effort to catch the shady mayor in cahoots with his accountant.
However, one rookie packs a water pistol and loves donuts, the other one loves the accountant and the mayor seems innocent though his security man is a nervous wreck.
Enter the “Highland Hitman” of the so-called Scottish Mafia whose modus operandi requires sporting full highland costume while playing a bagpipe swan song for his victims.
Mistaken identity, misconstrued movements, innuendo and banging doors ensue.
The physical comedy is strenuous and plentiful, well-choreographed and timed enough to seem spontaneous. Helpless laughter is the result.
Keith Savage plays Agent Frank, the mayor’s most insecure head of security. His full body tremours in the face of danger are uncanny and hilarious.
His super-sized facial expressions and sudden attempts to turn macho are so very funny.
Savage works hard and his seasoned ability to gauge his performance to audience reaction is apparent. The audience is ensured a treat every time he appears on stage.
Ralph Small plays the “Highland Hitman” alias Todd whose imposing demeanor strikes fear into the hearts of his victims while drawing giggles and guffaws from the audience.
His abrupt appearance in full highland regalia, an ominous prelude to disaster, provides a show stopping moment. His Scottish brogue descends into indiscernible spits as he prepares for the worst. There is a wee bit of corpsing here and no wonder.
Another favourite moment is provided by Kristen Peace as Billie the rookie when she translates the hitman’s brogue in a perfectly eloquent monologue.
Peace plays it with great energy. She is memorable from many roles such as her larger than life portrayal of the Sea Witch in Drayton Entertainment’s The Little Mermaid in 2014.
David Leyshon as Eric, her fellow rookie, performs it well as dumb, appealing and in love with beautiful accountant Karen Brown. Her professional abilities are soon overthrown to make way for compromising predicaments in little attire.
Jayme Armstrong plays Karen, with great comedic spirit.
Ted Simonett as Mayor Meekly is authoritative and knows how to play it too likeable to be guilty. He is a familiar face from many years of Canadian television and commercials.
Valerie Boyle as his wife Mrs. Meekly transitions from meek to shrewd in a twist of the plot. She is remembered in many roles such as Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins and Matron Mama Morton in Chicago for Drayton Entertainment.
Unnecessary Farce is an international success written by actor Paul Slade Smith who is currently appearing on Broadway in Finding Neverland.
Set designer Samantha Burson ingeniously created a set whereby the audience follows the action in two motel rooms at once. It is not the Ritz but it does have sturdy doors to withstand the slamming.
Costume designer Julia Holbert enhanced the show with the impressive highland ensemble of kilt, sporran, and remarkable bearskin hat.
Considerate touches were modest undergarments and few buttons.
J. Sean Elliott as director certainly pulled off a demanding farce with skill, and guidance of a cast of talented and appealing actors.
The laughter continued right out the door and into the moonlit nicht.
Unnecessary Farce is on stage until Sept. 3. Tickets may be purchased online at www.draytonentertainment.com, in person at any Drayton Entertainment box office, or by calling toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
