Ewan Campbell has directed an amusing and entertaining CHURCHILL’S UNMENTIONABLES as
part of the Impro Theatre Festival at the New Theatre in Newtown.
The audience is asked to suggest specific back stories for the various characters from before the war. This is how we have a priest, a spider collector, a girl who wanted to fly planes and a hypnotist.
The story involves an English team of floundering commandoes. They are asked, “What is something you don’t expect but is highly dangerous?” The answer given is “incest” but it turns out they are off to Belgium to stop a German force of bumble bees. It is all very silly but lots of fun. Ewan Campbell and Jon Williams give wonderful performances.
The side story of the Irish family hiding gays in the cellar is ridiculous and very funny.
Bryce Halliday provides a deft musical commentary and accompaniment on electric keyboard.
CHURCHILL’S UNMENTIONABLES is a fun production that would appeal to a wide variety of tastes. The Impro Theatre Festival opened at the New Theatre, Newtown on Tuesday July 31st and runs until Saturday 4th August. There is a different play each evening.
(c) Mark Pigott
3rd August, 2012
Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- CHURCHILL’S UNMENTIONABLES, Impro Theatre Festival, New Theatre Newtown, Ewan Campbell, Jon Williams, Bryce Halliday, Sydney Arts Guide, Mark Pigott