It Runs in the Family

Rockingham Theatre closed 2022 with this nicely produced incarnation of Ray Cooney’s farce It Runs in the Family. A well-paced comedy with lots of running in and out of doors and mistaken identities, as Dr. Mortimore attempts to deliver the Ponsonby Lecture in an international conference, while fending off a paternity suit, an ex-wife, an emotional teenage daughter he didn’t know he had and a variety of crazy people.

Set in a doctors’ common room in a London hospital, designers Rob and Sue Walker have created a lovely box set, with nicely functioning doors. Well lit by Danny Joyce, the show includes appropriate and well-chosen costumes by Sue Walker, Michelle Smith and cast, and an effective sound design from Peter Shaw.

Peter Scarrot anchors the production well with a solid and blustering performance in the central role of Doctor David Mortimer. He is well supported by Michelle Smith as formidable wife Rosemary, and Robert Walker as long-time friend Hubert Bonney - a standout performance that is expertly drawn.

Former girlfriend Jane Tate, who shows up unexpectedly, is played convincingly by Clare Alasan, while Tegan Breann Joyce steals scenes as Jane's daughter Leslie, desperately searching for her father. Further complications include Sharon Cole’s efficient Matron, and Alison Gibson’s demanding hospital head Dame Margaret Drake.

In smaller roles, Sam Taylor plays the police sergeant and Peter Shaw plays wayward patient Bill, both so (deservedly) popular with this audience that there was a murmur of approval on their first appearances - a favouritism that proved warranted. This show also marked three very impressive theatrical debuts, with Mike Orton, Catherine Smith and Antionette Orr all treading the boards for the first time.

Farce is notoriously difficult to play well, but this snappy, well directed production hit all the marks and kept its audience laughing throughout.

Kimberley Shaw