It’s fair to say that
Derren Litten’s sitcom Benidorm has
become something of a legend in its own happy hour. First hitting our screens
in 2007, it took its final bow earlier this year after amassing an impressive
74 episodes. The comedy is as subtle as the Costa Blanca’s own Las Vegas itself,
and in many ways can perhaps be classed as television’s modern successor to the
Carry On films. It is fair to say that quality wise it was a rocky road in the
later series, but ironically the show was just seeming to get back on track
when ITV brought down the shutters on the poolside bar. However, following a
long tradition of putting television comedies onto the stage (fellow holiday
sitcoms Hi-de-Hi! and Duty Free both paved the way during the
1980s for this theatre incarnation) the Solana all-inclusive resort is given
one last glorious fling in the sun courtesy of a massive UK and Ireland tour.
Tricia Adele-Turner & Will Jennings
Tony Maudsley & Adam Gillen
The conceit of this
production is that it follows on pretty directly from the end of the final
series. The Solana Group are still in danger of being taken over by the Bellroy
Leisure Group, and a few of the regulars’ absences are swiftly explained (Monty
is on an anger management course, Les / Lesley is serving a sentence in an open
prison in the UK for tax evasion). Joyce Temple-Savage has had some intel that
Bellroy Hotels have put in a spy among the current wave of holidaymakers to
review facilities. All their jobs could be on the line. So enter Ben and Sophie
Perkins (surely a nod to Benidorm’s
original producer, the late Geoffrey Perkins) who are virtually a mirror image
of Katie and Martin Weedon from the early days. Having been transferred from
the Solana’s sister hotel due to overbooking, they encounter a hotel far from
its peak, with staff disinterested at best. Can these be the Bellroy spies? Joyce
thinks so, and devises a plan to get them onside. Supersize stylist Kenneth Du Beke
and his assistant Liam Conroy, salon executives at Blow ‘n’ Go, have more immediate worries,
like Mrs. Cattleprod’s new cut and set. Jacqueline Stewart meanwhile has
invited over her friend ‘Gay Derek’ from the Middlesborough Swingers
Association, and it turns out he has designs on a member of the Solana staff. Naturally
ageing Spanish lothario Mateo Castellanos has got his eyes on virtually every
pretty girl setting foot inside the all-inclusive complex. It all comes to a
head during a fabulously camp night in Neptune’s Bar.
Shelley Longworth
Jake Canuso
Anybody coming to this
production should be prepared for adult pantomime. It is loud, it’s tacky and
frequently very funny. An impressive six actors from the television regulars
have been enticed onto the stage by producers Michael Harrison and David Ian. Perhaps
the most beloved of them all is Kenneth. From the moment Tony Maudsley enters the salon
dressed in a ‘Bleached Whale’ top, he is on top form and seemingly loving every
outrageous moment. He commands the stage like the seasoned pro that he is,
delivering outrageous one liners and slipping his ample frame into a pair of
hot pants. Adam Gillen provides a lot of the heart of the show, Kenneth’s naive
assistant Liam who wants to be reunited with his jail bird Dad. His repertoire
of comedy stances coupled with a genuine ability to look harassed, makes them
comedy gold together. Shelley Longworth as Sam Wood, the one-time holidaymaker who
returns as a travel rep, shows off a fine singing voice, and Sam’s ability to
deliver no frills assessments of any given situation provides more comic
opportunities. Janine Duvitski is something of a comedy legend having appeared
in so many high profile roles over the years (Abigail’s Party, Waiting For
God, One Foot In The Grave). Following the death of her on
screen partner Kenny Ireland as husband Donald Stewart, her character has
perhaps not been best served but here Duvitski embraces her role as a singles
swinger to the hilt, culminating in a bravura performance at Neptune’s Bar. Equally
legendary in the comedy stakes, is Sherrie Hewson. One time Maureen Holdsworth in
Coronation Street, she is a comedy
performer of enormous skill and experience going back to the Carry On films,
which is entirely appropriate. There is also more than a touch of the Mrs.
Slocombe about Joyce, a role Sherrie also played recently. Her veneer of snobbishness
underpinned by a streak of common running through her are attributes Sherrie
exploits brilliantly. Jake Canuso as Mateo causes many a ladies (and gents)
heart to flutter when he breaks into a dance upon his first entrance, displaying
all the skills he employed earlier in his career as a West End dancer. It is
however his beautifully observed sleazy Spanish waiter that has endeared him to
the nation, and its fair to say that Mateo is up to his old tricks throughout
the show.
Damian Williams
Bradley Clarkson & Janine Duvitski
Newcomers to the fold
are equally at home with the double entendres. Tricia Adele-Turner and Bradley
Clarkson as Sophie and Ben provide the bedrock of the plot, whilst Damian
Williams (a genuinely funny man who should have been a star years ago) swings
nicely as Gay Derek who has an infatuation with one of the Solana staff. Bringing
up the rear (ho hum) Will Jennings as Ricky, provides some nice comedic
touches.
Asa Elliott
Playing himself, Asa
Elliott has been imported from the series to provide the musical soundtrack to
the show. Whether Livin’ La Vida Loca or giving his Shang-A-Lang, Elliott’s cheesy
but powerful vocals set exactly the right Costa Blanca cabaret tone to give the
play a real authenticity.
Director Ed Curtis understands
totally what the paying audience want: nothing subtle but presented in bright, stylish
way. It is likely to be a rare theatre visit for many of the television followers, and Curtis makes sure the show fair zips along. No room for padding on this holiday. Set designer Mark Walters has worked a minor miracle with his
micro-Solana. Making sure the we swiftly get to scenes around reception, the
salon, the pool and Neptunes with the minimum of intrusion to the play. Choreographer
Alan Harding has coaxed some very entertaining routines out of the performers
too, this is one play that can really move.
With all the gloom over
Brexit and the UK annexing itself from the rest of Europe, is it any wonder this
tour is packed with people wanting a belly laugh. Derren Litten has provided an
extension to the series packing in farce, smut, music and dance. It would be
nice to think that in the future ITV might return to the Solana to catch up
with our favourite characters, but if this is truly the last we see of them,
they are going out with the biggest party provincial theatres have seen in a
while. Pour yourself a Sangria and book some tickets – if you can find any!!!
Benidorm Live is on tour until April 2019. Further information can be found at:
