Chichester Festival Theatre’s temporary structure contains a set that could steal the show. The fact it doesn’t is down to knockout performances from the cast.
Tim Firth’s hilarious black comedy has a quartet of middle-management businessmen marooned on a fog-shrouded island after their boat sinks while on a team-building initiative weekend.
The island is realistically created with trees, a pebble beach, water and rain. As in Lord Of The Flies, civility breaks down as they turn against each other.
Right from the off, laughter comes thick and fast – Ade Edmondson’s entrance is a hoot. He plays bullying Gordon who uses savage sarcasm to destroy his colleagues’ happiness.
Although he gets the best lines, he never overshadows the other actors. All are superb.
John Marquez gives a delightfully understated performance as Neville, leader of the group and responsible for their predicament.
Angus, in the hands of Tim McMullan, is a wonderful creation: a gadget man who brings with him a rucksack, like Mary Poppins’ carpet bag, which never stops producing items.
Roy, a gentle creature, lost in his own world, brings with him baggage of a different sort – a breakdown and suicide attempt – played with great sensitivity by Rufus Hound.
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