Dark magic and quick-fire farce in Coventry theatre’s 50-year celebrations

AS part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, members of the Criterion have staged nine one-act plays in just two weeks.

And what a showcase they’ve been for the talents of both old hands, like Maureen Copping, now in her eighties, and newer members like Joe Fallowell, who played the son in the first of last Friday’s performances, The Monkey’s Paw.

Set in the 1940s, it’s a play that creaks a bit around the edges, but there’s no denying the build-up of tension as ex-army sergeant (Peter Gillam) leaves the shrivilled-looking ‘paw’ to work its dark magic in the hands of its innocent new owners, played by Chris Ingall and John Butler.

Very good use of sound effects to create extra atmosphere in an otherwise utilitarian set.

In Resting Place, death is very much on the minds of Maureen Copping and her brow-beaten husband, played by Doug Griffiths.

Set in a cemetery, this is a poignant piece which could be carried off by only the best of actors. I particularly loved the timing and the way Maureen gazed so raptly into the eyes of Doug as – between thoughts of kippers for their tea – she fretted about how their long marriage might end in separation when they died because they couldn’t afford a joint burial plot.

Morbid? Yes. Watchable? Absolutely.

Finally there was a Michael Frayn farce, Chinamen, the piece generally regarded as being the inspiration for his hugely successful Noises Off.

As I rarely read programme notes ahead of a performance, I had no idea it was a play for just two characters ... and such was the credibility of Becky Fenlon and Jon Elves that it took me some time to catch up and realise there really were only two people at this disastrous ‘dinner party’.

I have to confess, I usually hate farce – all that running about and in this case banging of doors. But Becky and Jon did exactly what it said in my unread programme. They offered a masterclass in quickfire, quick-change comedy that left us in the audience gasping for breath between the belly-laughs.

Verdict: To all in the Criterion – here’s to the next 50 years.

Barbara Goulden