Edward Alderton Theatre Home | News | This Season | Next Season | Bookings | Auditions | Members | Archive | History | Location | Links | Contact Us   There Goes the Bride by Ray Cooney and John Chapman Directed by Viv Stapleton 13-20 October 2007 (7 performances) When harassed advertising executive Timothy Westerby hits his head on the morning of his daughter's society wedding, he awakes to find himself in the company of Polly Perkins, a 1920s Flapper girl straight out of his current advertising campaign. It soon becomes all too clear that no-one else can see or hear her, and when another bump on the head transports Timothy back to 1926 and the Savoy hotel, the carefully planned wedding preparations disintegrate into chaos as friends and family attempt to lead Timothy back to reality and his daughter down the aisle before the newly arrived Australian in-laws' abandon the wedding... Cast Ursula Westerby Eileen Warner Judy Westerby Rachel De Silva Dr Gerald Drimmond Horry Stapleton Daphne Drimmond Maureen Hardwen Timothy Westerby Michael Martin Bill Shorter Ian Saxton Polly Perkins Linda Gay Charles Babcock Richard Gooderson Crew Stage Manager Helen Bezer Assistant Stage Manager Yvonne Golding Set Design Viv Stapleton Set Construction John Vinnels, Ron Andrews, Peter Smith, Annette Tranter, Steve Grubb, Ron Marsh, Dorothy Holmans, Helen Bezer Costumes Stephanie Howell Lighting Design & Rigging Jerry McKeon, Christine McKeon, Horry Stapleton, Rachel Allen Lighting & Sound Operation Michael Smith Choreographer Charlotte Jacobs Properties Viv Stapleton, Steve Duggins, Paul Lay Backstage Linda Saxton Programme & Poster Design Richard Banks Special thanks to Myra McGee and Jean Miller for the flower arrangements   Review Bridal treat The Edward Alderton Theatre kicked off their 2007-2008 season with the witty farce There Goes The Bride, co-written by comedy giants John Chapman and Ray Cooney, writes Richard Banks. Although written more than thirty years ago, this comedy had a fresh, modern feel to it. The curtains opened to a sumptuous, elegant set, which rightfully received its due recognition from an appreciative audience. At the beginning of the play Timothy Westerby, who works in advertising, devises an ad campaign for a bra company, based on the 1920s icon of the flapper. When he bumps his head, Westerby fantasizes that a cardboard cutout of the flapper girl, Polly Perkins, has magically come to life and is trying energetically to seduce him. The humour in There Goes the Bride is largely based on the other family members not knowing if Westerby is talking to them or himself, as no one else can see or hear the imaginary Polly. The rest of the cast did well not to 'see' and react to this invisible character. There were several new faces amongst the cast. Rachel De Silva looked ravishing as the blushing bride, becoming increasingly distraught at her father's erratic behaviour. Eileen Warner conveyed all the nervous excitement of the bride's mother developing into panic as her husband becomes increasingly manic. Richard Gooderson blustered as the brusque Australian groom's father. With the new faces were more familiar actors. Maureen Hardwen was an entertainingly acerbic grandmother; paired with her was Horry Stapleton who was just right as the hilariously forgetful grandfather. Ian Saxton provided strong support as Timothy's business partner. Linda Gay was 'spiffing' as Polly, with looks, movement and voice that perfectly conveyed the typical 1920s flapper girl. Michael Martin was tremendous as Timothy Westerby with exaggerated facial expressions and good changes in character. This was a fun show, with some good acting. It was a shame that prompts spoiled the pace of the action at times, but this was a minor distraction to the thorough enjoyment of the show, which had been well directed by Viv Stapleton. Richard Banks Kentish Times | 25 October 2007