Brilliant adaptation of classic Ealing comedy

WICK Theatre Company is preparing a wonderful black comedy to cure those after-Christmas blues.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Dec 2015, 11:44 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 05:27 BST

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The Ladykillers cast, back row from left, Dan Dryer as Louis Harvey, H Reeves as Professor Marcus, David Peaty as Major Courtney; front row from left, John Garland as One Round, Judith Berrill as Mrs Wilberforce and Mark Best as Harry RobinsonThe Ladykillers cast, back row from left, Dan Dryer as Louis Harvey, H Reeves as Professor Marcus, David Peaty as Major Courtney; front row from left, John Garland as One Round, Judith Berrill as Mrs Wilberforce and Mark Best as Harry Robinson
The Ladykillers cast, back row from left, Dan Dryer as Louis Harvey, H Reeves as Professor Marcus, David Peaty as Major Courtney; front row from left, John Garland as One Round, Judith Berrill as Mrs Wilberforce and Mark Best as Harry Robinson

Written by Graham Linehan, of Father Ted and The IT Crowd fame, The Ladykillers is a brilliant adaptation of the 1955 Ealing Comedy classic film, starring Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom.

Posing as amateur musicians, Professor Marcus and his gang rent rooms in the lopsided house of sweet but strict Mrs Wilberforce.

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The villains plot to involve her unwittingly in Marcus’ brilliantly-conceived heist job.

H Reeves playing Professor Marcus in Wick Theatre Company's The LadykillersH Reeves playing Professor Marcus in Wick Theatre Company's The Ladykillers
H Reeves playing Professor Marcus in Wick Theatre Company's The Ladykillers

The police are left stumped but Mrs Wilberforce becomes wise to their ruse and Marcus concludes that there is only one way to keep the old lady quiet.

With only her parrot, General Gordon, to help her, Mrs Wilberforce is alone with five desperate men but who will be forced to face the music?

Well-known Southwick thespian H Reeves, who last appeared with Wick Theatre in June 2014, takes the lead role of Professor Marcus.

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Judith Berrill, the company’s press officer, is Mrs Wilberforce; Wick regular Dan Dryer plays Louis Harvey; David Peaty, who last appeared in Yes, Prime Minister in March, is Major Courtney; John Garland, last seen in Rope in October, plays One Round; and Mark Best, who appeared in After Juliet with Young Wick in February, is Harry Robinson.

Successful runs in the West End and on national tour have seen this version of The Ladykillers described as ‘exuberant’ and a ‘fine night of theatre’.

Directing the production for Wick is Tony Brownings, who has previously lifted The Barn roof with laughter in his productions of Noises Off and The 39 Steps.

Judith said: “He has been drilling an experienced and talented cast, whose aim is to entertain.

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“The part of General Gordon posed no casting problems as Wick has its own expert, Caroline Woodley.

“She has several of her own parrots who have been assisting rehearsals.”

There will be six performances, including a Saturday matinée and tickets are selling fast.

The run is from Tuesday, January 5, to Saturday, January 9, at The Barn Theatre, Southwick Street, Southwick, at 7.45pm daily plus 2.30pm on the Saturday. Tickets cost £11 from the box office on 01273 597094 or through our website, www.wicktheatre.co.uk

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