Wild Flower Walks of Upper Teesdale - Christopher and Gayle Lowe
Price:£7.95
Hancock's Finest Hour - The Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond
Jul 2, 2010
ALTHOUGH Tony Hancock had died before I was born, I can still remember seeing some of the iconic episodes on television especially The Blood Donor. This production though is not based on the episodes he was so famous for, but about the times of a comic genius with a deeply troubled life.The play is set in a BBC dressing room before and after the BBC TV show Face to Face with John Freeman, it was this interview in the early 60s which heightened Hancock's self critical analysis, which some would say led to his death in 1968.
The genius of this production must be the casting of Paul Henry, still best remembered in the role of Benny in Crossroads, as Tony Hancock. He does not play it as an impersonation of Hancock, but the acting is faultless from start to finish, Henry has such a stage presence that I was drawn into this dark world and found myself engrossed by every word and movement.
The style of the production is very clever with the Dresser, David Matthews and Make Up, Clare Bloomer, playing their roles in the dressing room as well as slipping seamlessly in and out of other characters including his parents, wife and publicist. The other characters act as a devise to tell other stories in his past as well as his conscience as he reveals more about his personality. It is not all comfortable watching and is certainly not a laugh a minute, though of course there are many comic moments. This is a dark play, which reveals an insight into a comic genius. The lighting and sound effects are effective and add to the darkness brilliantly.
It was impossible to find any faults in what was a highly entertaining and informative production.
Hancock's Finest Hour runs until Saturday 3rd July.
A J Harrison