The Fall of the Roman Umpire

Dennis Coard is a clever, clever man and very experienced actor and writer. He has credits across the world in film, television and stage.

This is a personal story with a focus on his Irish childhood, his family’s emigration from Ireland to Australia, his life before acting, how he auditioned for drama school and his relationships. The story is told in episodes which Dennis inhabits with his brothers, mother, father and grandfather. As he acts out each episode using a table, chair, hall stand and a few props they spring into life and he reflects on the circumstances he found himself in and each person’s contribution to his life.

Dennis easily moves the audience from gales of laughter describing his childhood pranks to pathos as he farewells his beloved grandfather at the start of his emigration journey.

There are many clever lines and wonderful pay offs with the classic comic, one, two, (wait for it) three!

The lighting and music supported Dennis especially in the parting scene, where a crowd of farewellers were created with Dennis’ shadows to great effect.

Dennis unfortunately introduced elements with no connection to his story, starting with a clever but bewildering beginning and the introduction of a set piece when he impersonated the famous whistling television gardener, Alan Seale.

This is a piece of theatre we have come to expect from Dennis - light, comic, physical and competent.

Ruth Richter