Yvonne & Ivan Downing, David Dusting, Tim Gay, Stewart Greedy, Wendy Hall, Andrew Henwood, Brian McClelland, Tony McGuiness, James McLaren, Peter Nethercote, Julian Oldfield, Ken Prato, Hedley Thomson, Graham Walker, Michael Zala and Peter Zala.
I know it’s the middle of winter and staying home watching TV (if you can find something worth watching!) is an appealing thought. But believe me, it is well worth going out to see the current Ballarat National Theatre production of the hit-comedy Theft.
Written by Eric Chappell, whose writing credits include many well-known British plays and TV comedy series, the plot centres around the arrival home of two couples from a wedding anniversary celebration to discover that the house has been burgled. Peter Nethercote’s direction and design ensure a set which is elegant and detailed in every particular and a production which is as professional as any I have seen.
The home owners, John and Barbara, played by Stewart Greedy and Paula Sharry-Pierce, are as elegant as their home but beneath the surface the unexpected is brewing. Their oldest friends, Jenny (Liesl Vanderkley) and Trevor (Michael Zala) have a few surprises of their own to reveal. And holding centre stage for much of the evening is an outstanding performance from Hedley Thompson as the wily and loveable Spriggs. Accents never falter, the cracking pace is always maintained and it is clear that they are all thoroughly enjoying their roles. This is truly an ensemble piece, with all five cast members bringing their flawed but totally human and recognisable characters wonderfully to life.
Enough said of the plot and the characters, because while having one’s home burgled may not be much fun for the victims, the very witty dialogue, the unexpected twists and the sharp observations on marriage, money and crime make for a wonderful evening’s entertainment for the audience. I am sure you won’t regret going out in the cold to see this very funny play.
