Festival Theatre – until 9th July 2022
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
4.5****
Boeing Boeing is a comedy drama written (and set) in 1962 by Marc Camoletti, famous French playwright. The story concerns Bernard, owner of a Paris flat and proud of his juggling three fiances – each an air hostess who all are kept apart by their work schedules…
At first we find Bernard full of confidence in his lifestyle but as his orderly world falls apart his nerves shred trying to keeping his ladies apart, especially when they start turning up at the flat at the same time. John Dorney displays a commendable range of reactions and mannerisms – a tour de force of acting extremes.
The maid, Bertha, is a wonderful creation brought scintillatingly to life by Jo Castleton. She boils just under the surface with a sincere insincerity and world-weariness. Hilarious.
The star of the show is the flat’s visitor – at first appalled, then enticed by the love triangle. Robert (played by Paul Sandys) desires Paris’s excitement but is unprepared for the sheer level of stimulation that his friend’s flat affords. He, arguably, is the pivotal character with the most stage time. His attempts to do the right thing for his friend, whilst also battling with his own moral standards and his attraction to the flat’s many delights, are truly wonderful. A priceless performance!
All three ladies are wonderful, albeit vastly different characters befitting their nationality. Gloria from the USA (Isabel Della-Porta) is very sure of herself and the way a husband needs to act. Gabriella from Italy (Nathalie Barclay) is sexy and has total confidence in her man and the institution of marriage. Gretchen from Germany (Jessica Dennis) captures the Teutonic efficiency and command of the situation, bringing a deliciously sultry sensuality. A stunning ensemble of female actresses, each at the top of their game, propelling this work along with some delightfully nuanced acting.
The set (designed by Bek Palmer) is very stylish, reflecting the ladies professions – with a curved blue wall not unlike a globe of the world, into (and out of) which the ladies make their entrances and exits. I found the 60’s furniture rather appealing – especially the globe chair!
As farces go this is a classic, with the male characters becoming more manic (and panicked) as events unravel around them as they attempt to keep the deception going.
Fittingly, it is the women who are actually in charge and it is them who decide how the situation resolves itself. And it is a nicely satisfying conclusion that I found rather heartwarming.
Given the rather dubious nature of Bernard’s love life, this play is charming. Even Bernard, the resident cad at the heart of this web, is appealing – quite a feat which must be all credit to the script but also the director Michael Cabot.
It is a humorous script that elicited many laughs. If you want a feel good play that will make your spirits fly you could do no better than to go see this work. I thoroughly enjoyed and can wholeheartedly recommend it.