Tom, Dick and Harry

Sale & Altrincham Messenger's Review

'Garrick Farce does what it says on the tin'

By Rick Bowen

FANS of farces will love every minute of Tom, Dick and Harry, Altrincham Garrick’s latest production.

Unfortunately for the theatre, I don’t fall into that category and found certain parts of the play a real endurance test.

Also, it’s portrayal of foreigners belongs in the 1970s rather than the 21st century.

That said, Maureen Casket has assembled a great cast whose comedy timing is absolutely spot on.

Particularly impressive is Graham Simmonds as the hapless Tom, a man whose plans to adopt a child are thrown into serious doubt by the shady antics of his wide boy brother Dick and a hair brained scheme hatched by the zaniest of the three siblings, Harry. Brian Howlett, who plays Harry, puts in the performance of the evening as the daft Harry and he put me in mind of the great Norman Wisdom in terms of the way he moves about the stage. Both men have a natural aptitude for comedy and the director certainly brings this out. Mike Shaw is eminently watchable as Dick, the type of bloke who would sell his own granny if the price was right, but I couldn’t help feeling writers Ray and Michael Cooney could have done more with a character whose comic potential is never fully realised.

Not my cup of tea - but if you like farces or go to the theatre purely to be entertained, this light hearted caper ticks all the boxes. Barry Fletcher’s set provides an appealing backdrop for the ensuing chaos.