John Godber is generally a safe bet in terms of production. Well written with a broad appeal, it is not hard to see why Falcon Grange Productions would opt for one of his comedies.
The play depicts life on the road from the perspective of coach drivers whose company sees a lot of return holidaymakers. Much is made of the characters that are, for the most part, Northerners. Stock characters emerge to amuse as they embark on their journey. With clever use of minimal props and staging, Falcon Grange entertains and steers us confidently along the road with polished performances and excellent multi-role playing from the cast of three. The trio work well together and they clearly know how to work a crowd. The comedy shines through the performances as the quality of the script is maintained. All three keep up the pace and energy through the show each with their unique talents. They take on their different guises with aplomb. Yvie Magee holds court on stage, involves the crowd and delivers a more than capable performance providing good comedy and drama. Daniel Creasey has a warm and engaging persona and reminds at times of a young Ronnie Barker. Rhys Owen is a likeable chap who happily surprises with his singing.
Perhaps stronger in their comedic skills, at times it felt that the dramatic was presented rather than it feeling real. However the overall piece was very well handled and produced well. Strong performances and a supportive cast made the show a success. Clearly a talented group who have worked hard to produce a worthy show that is funny, pleasing to watch and a comfortable ride.
