World premiere of Fanny another Watermill winner as Les Dennis to star in tour of Bill Byson’s Notes From a Small Island
The world premiere of Fanny is fast-paced, witty, fun-filled farcical physical theatre that presents ‘The Overdue Story of the Other Mendelssohn’.
It comes as it’s been announced that two Watermill productions are to embark on major tours.
The Bagnor theatre’s joint chief executive Paul Hart said he’s “over the moon” that Les Dennis is to star in Bill Bryson’s Notes From Small Island when it heads out on the road next year and Carrie Hope Fletcher is to lead the Calamity Jane UK and Ireland tour.
Meanwhile, back at the theatre:
Fanny The Overdue Story of the Other Mendelssohn at The Watermill, Bagnor, until June 15
Review by ROBIN STRAPP
CALLUM Findlay’s new comedy Fanny, receiving its world premiere at The Watermill theatre turns the spotlight on Fanny Mendelssohn, the sister of the renowned composer and younger brother Felix.
It’s a fast paced, witty play, full of fun, farcical physical theatre and wonderful performances from this highly versatile cast who embrace their characters with utter conviction.
Sophia Pardon’s panelled set covered in portraits is dominated by a grand piano centre stage and her costume designs are beautiful, perfectly reflecting the period.
Charlie Russell, a cofounder of Mischief Theatre, is outstanding as the feisty Fanny who received the same musical training as her brother and wrote Queen Victoria’s favourite song Italien that was credited to Felix. She oozes her love for classical music conducting the audience as her orchestra with such passion despite her domineering mother’s (Kim Ismay) advice that she should focus on finding a suitable husband and forget her musical career.
Wilhelm (George Howard) is perhaps not the ideal suitor, but is determined to win her hand. His many innuendos and puns are hilarious. Harry Henshaw, playing the hapless, naïve other brother Paul, is a joy to watch his crazy antics are played in true farcical moments.
By contrast, Corey Montague-Sholey’s Felix is filled with confidence and arrogance, reluctant to admit that Fanny wrote the ‘Italien.Things get more complicated when an invitation to perform the piece in front of the queen is received addressed to F Mendelssohn. Fanny intercepts it and decides to take her brother’s place in London.
The race to arrive first is true farce with shadow projected trees creating the journey and beer barrels becoming coaches and taverns.
Accompanying her is Clara Schumann, (Jade May Lin) the wife of the composer. These are two women seeking recognition for who they are in their own right.There is some clever audience participation that was enthusiastically joined in.
Skilfully directed by Katie-Ann McDonough with an impressive sound design by Thomas Wasley, this was a hugely enjoyable production.
