‘The Final Act’ might actually herald new beginnings, as both the cast and the creative team of the show deserve to go on to bigger and better things.
Based on the experience of putting on shows at the University of Nottingham and other local theatres, this is a short piece but one that was really enjoyed by the audience. One of the advantages of a three-sided auditorium is that you can see the delight and smiles on audience members' faces when a really good line or a piece of comic acting really comes off.
The show opens with Rory, the President of the Theatre Club being told that if he cannot produce a sell-out show then the theatre is toast and will be replaced by a Sports Centre. The fact that he is confronted by not one but five vice-chancellors at once was bad enough, but there is a condition that the show has to be a musical. The dreaded committee hate musicals: not proper theatre you know!
Rory recruits a creative team and cast by the only strategy known to man - flattery, promises he can’t keep, and top billing for everyone.
The ensuing chaos is beautifully played out by a talented company. In particular, I thought that Darius as the Musical Director was very credible, as was Rory as the Director.
The other cast members were without flaw and it was an all-round success with good songs, well-sung, but the comic acting was really good. Worth a mention is also Clive, the Actor with an interesting back-story, who later proves he will do anything for his art. Also, Bernie, Sarah, and the Choreographer match the men every step.
It may not be ‘hilarious’, but it is very funny and the new music adds to a very good production.
Runs to 29 Aug (not 16), 5pm