Farce is order of the day

The Company of Ten's Out of Order

GOOD farce has to look effortless - a tall order which has resulted in many clunky performances.

Not so the Company of Ten with its current production of Ray Cooney's Out of Order, which is being performed at the Abbey Theatre until Saturday.

This is slick farce, timed to perfection and very funny in places. Even though it is built on stock characters - the roving eyed MP, his hapless assistant, a glamorous woman and a "dead" body - Out of Order in the hands of the St Albans drama group is extremely enjoyable.

It is all set in a hotel room with a convenient balcony running between the rooms and a window with a life of its own - to the extent that its ability to slam shut at all the right moments undoubtedly makes it one of the stars of the show.

But if the window is inanimate, nothing could be further from the case with the two leading characters, Richard Willey, a Junior Minister in a Labour Government, and George Pigden, his Parliamentary Private Secretary.

The focus shifts in the play from one to the other as it progresses and it is all tribute to Tony Sidoli as Willey and Russell Vincent as Pigden that it happens so seamlessly.

Deadpan Tony, who has a field day with the connotations of the minister's name, is in marked contrast with Russell's manic George - who would be a dead ringer for Harry Enfield's creation Tory Boy if he wasn't supposed to be a Labour PPS.

They both have extremely demanding parts - and they do make them look effortless which is the paramount requirement.

They are helped by a strong cast headed up by Ania Kurowska's glamorous Jana - the quintessential catalyst for the action - and her hot-headed but seemingly-inadequate husband Ronnie, played by Kieran Cummins.

Sue Parker as Pamela Willey and Jane Byrne as Nurse Gladys bring out a different side of George Pigden, and Peter Jeffreys has just the right look of shock on his face as the hotel manager.

But it is two of the characters in the smallest roles who get many of the laughs. Trevor Lenson as an avaricious waiter who expects remuneration for even the slightest service is a hoot and Alan Herring who plays Jack, both dead and alive, is great fun.

Out of Order is directed by Tony Bradburn who must be delighted to have such a hit on his hands. Any remaining tickets will be available from the box office on 01727 857861 or online at www.abbeytheatre.org.uk