UK Theatre Network

Raising The Stakes

The Customs House, South Shields

Having been unable to attend ‘Good To Firm’, the first of Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood’s trilogy focusing on the exploits of Bob and Shirley Fletcher, I wondered how easy it would be for me to review the second instalment, ‘Raising The Stakes’. Had I missed out on some pivotal background events? Would a certain amount of assumed knowledge be required to fully appreciate the intricacies of the plot?

Thankfully, the answer was no.

It seems that, although the plays are best enjoyed as a threesome (no double entendre intended, by the way!), they can also be appreciated as standalone productions. Nevertheless, I had done a certain amount of research – or, at the very least, picked a fellow reviewer’s brains regarding plot history (see Linda Barker’s review of ‘Good To Firm’).

In ‘Raising The Stakes’, Bob Fletcher (Ray Spencer) reverts back to his old ways and is backing the gee-gees behind the back of his long-suffering wife, Shirley (Angela Szalay). He is egged-on by Clark (Louis Roberts), an Irish con-man with a line in blarney that would stretch from here to Dublin, to whom Shirley has offered board and lodgings after losing her job in a local factory. Throw into the mix Shirley’s entrepreneurial, sexually-voracious sister, Dolores (Arabella Arnott) and Suzie (Jill Dellow), Bob and Shirley’s cash-strapped student daughter, and you have all the elements necessary for a Brian Rix style farce.

Each member of the cast plays their part well and wrings every last drop of comedy from Waugh & Wood’s script, which had the audience in hysterics. However, Louis Roberts really shone in the role of Clark (could he have based his performance and accent on Ciaran MCCarthy, Keith Duffy’s ‘Corrie’ character?).

Mark Wingett returns to direct the play, giving up a holiday to do so, and his familiarity with the principal actors and their respective characters is evident.

‘Raising The Stakes’ is a fast, funny and farcical – a great evening’s entertainment.

Ian Cain.

Runs until Saturday 9 October 2010.

The third production of the trilogy is as follows:

‘Photo Finish’ – Thursday 28 October to Saturday 6 November 2010.