Review by Duncan Gray
Another stage version of the Goon Show appeared in mid-April, down south (well, it was for me). In deepest Cumbria, Penrith Players staged their versions of three classic episodes in one show, The Canal, The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler and The Treasure of Loch Lomond.
Why were Penrith Players performing Goon Shows? The director, Tash Binder, explained that she had the power to choose something for this slot in their programme, and she went with the comedy she’d loved since childhood.
This show wasn’t an attempt to recreate the radio studio. The cast had the freedom of the stage, and beyond, to play out the action. There were a couple of microphones on show, but it was only the announcer who used one as part of his act. The set centred on an old sofa, with props placed strategically around,
including telephones and a hostess trolley fashioned into a portable gas stove. There was a special effects station with equipment and a laptop for grams on a table to the side. Each character also had a hat, surely helping audience members less familiar with the Goons.
And what of the cast? Ian Baker played Greenslade and Grytpype-Thynne, while sharing the FX duties with director Tash. The penny dropped in a mug effect, for one, was used a lot. For Neddie Seagoon, they had a high-energy little Welsh bubble called Vic Brunetti. You’ll guess which one he is in the photos. Neil Gander played Henry Crun, Bloodnok, Willium, and was a particularly good (though taller than you’ve ever imagined) Bluebottle.
The final member of the cast was (gasp, splutter) a female-type lady actor. Jess Crumback-Nyahoe was Minnie Bannister of course, but also played Eccles, Moriarty and Throat. She took the extra parts of Laird McGool and Valentine Dyall too. Let’s face it, a genuine Man in Black voice was always going to be a step too far. With both those characters having exchanges with Eccles, Jess had a lot of hat stacking and quick swapping to do.
The production boasted live music too. Links and the Bloodnok theme came from the cast playing kazoos. Musical interludes were included, just as in the original broadcasts. A young lady called Raven Kitching sang classics such as Stormy Weather and Paper Moon, accompanied by Mark Stewart on piano. The show finished on a song too, the cast performed I’m Walking Backwards for Christmas.
Was it all worthwhile? Absolutely. The production stayed true to the original scripts, I even caught a couple of lines which are missing from the commonly available versions. There was occasionally a fluffed line or corpse, but that just added to the authenticity. The cast had fun, the audience had fun, my non-Goon Show following companion laughed all the way through. It was great to see these scripts getting an outing, let’s have more of the same.
The Penrith Players production runs until Saturday 19th April. Go seek tickets at penrithplayers.org.uk.
See also our review of the Stockton Heath Methodist Dramatic Society production of Six Charlies in Search of an Author
Photos courtesy of Penrith Players
The Goon Show Preservation Society 