RUBERY Drama Group’s Jail Birds was not only very traditional British situation comedy at its best, but will also be one of the funniest plays you will see this year.
Playing to a packed Beacon Church Centre, the talented cast were tasked with portraying a group of characters who had clearly known each other for a long time (think ‘they could finish each other’s sentences’). And they rose to that challenge.
The comedy by Colin Barrow takes place in the communal area of HMP Con-em-all and centres on the inmates, prison officer, governor and a hapless – and often outrageous – nurse.
The first act set the scene well with plenty of great comedy and one-liners and then, in the second, that level of humour was taken to a new level.
Individual performances
Every member of the cast played their part, so much so, thanks to some fantastic chemistry and interactions, it was easy to believe this was a group who had ‘lived among each other’ for some considerable time.
They included Wendy Pardoe as Emma, the sometimes grumpy but genius painting forger, Paula Hogarth as technology wizard Jane, Vicky Routh as the matriarchal Sandra, Jayne Jones as horticultural expert Sonia and Charlotte Murphy as ‘adult chat line operator’ and former brothel owner Jenny. As you would expect, she had plenty of double entendre and ‘ooh err missus’ innuendo to deliver.
Among the rest of the Jail Birds was Jo Anscombe as fake designer clothes maker Angela and Sharon Lawrence who played the bizarre ‘flatulent’ Mary – she did not say a word during the whole production, just shuffled about breaking wind.
Each of those characters had obviously been caught breaking the law on the outside but were being far more successful under the nose of the – now complicit – governor (excellently played by Paul Harris) and Officer Parker (David Smith) – on the inside. Smith resembled a cross between the soft-touch Mr Barrowclough from Porridge and the exasperated Blakey from On The Buses. He combined the attributes of both popular characters wonderfully.
Ian Kimberley Ryan was as solid as ever in the role of Lewis who, a former locksmith, used his skills to slip his all-male wing to get to the women’s section which was a lot cushier.
If you had to choose one stand-out performance, it would go to Helen Watton as Nurse Dawson. Her hapless character and her anecdotes of people she had (mostly unsuccessfully) treated, the methods used and the unfortunate outcomes had the audience in hysterics throughout. In a Victoria Wood-esque northern accent, you were captivated by her crazy tales that – even in these days of a struggling NHS – made your eyes water. I have watched Helen in a number of different roles over the years but this, by far, was her funniest. She was made for the part.
‘Life of luxury’
There was also a degree of social comment – presented in a comedic way – in this production about prison life being ‘luxurious’.
The inmates – with a sense of entitlement more associated with the upper middle and upper classes – had both the governor and the officer wrapped around their little fingers and in the palms of their hands. So much so, that rather than vying for parole, they would not want to be anywhere else.
Well done to director Diane Trueman and this talented cast which certainly delivered for her – this two-hour show felt like you had binge-watched four episodes of a new – but classic – British sitcom.
This is well worth a watch. Judging by the attendance on the opening night, tickets will be going fast.
The remaining performances are at 7.30pm tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).
Remembering Dave Morris
The production was dedicated to founding member and long-time director and performer Dave Morris who passed away recently. Everyone involved did him proud – he would have loved this show and the way it was staged. It epitomises what Rubery Drama Group is all about and what it has become renowned for since its inception.
Remaining performances
This show is well worth a watch. Judging by the attendance on the opening night, tickets will be going fast.
The remaining performances are at 7.30pm tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).
Tickets are £8 (£7 concessions) are available by emailing [email protected] or call 0121 453 8733.
Alternatively buy tickets through the website: https://www.ruberydrama.co.uk/ the Rubery Drama Group Facebook page.
