As always, a performance at Above the Stag did not disappoint. A follow-on from last year’s production of ‘Alright Bitches!’, this year’s delivery of nautical naughtiness is set on a cruise ship making its way round Europe – but what makes this particular boat special is the almost-exclusivity of gays aboard! Best friends Garth and Pam bring their new partners along with them, and the four are looked after by old friend Max, who is reluctantly working on board throughout their trip. What with secretive behaviour from Garth’s new beau Drew, and things not quite adding up about Pam’s ‘French’ fiancé Patrice, turbulent times are ahead…
Another piece by director Andrew Beckett, ‘Bitches Ahoy!’ has an extremely clever way of transporting you from underneath the Vauxhillian subway arch to what feels like an actual cruise liner sailing through the Atlantic ocean. Feeling that ‘holiday vibe’ is something we all crave, and a highly realistic set depicting a cabin did just the job!
The star of the seas was undoubtedly Hannah Vesty, delivering a terrific performance as the outrageously crass Pam. Her vibrancy and energy was infectious, and had us eating out of the palm of her hand – no gag fell on deaf ears as we admired the development of her loveable yet wildly dysfunctional character. Vesty approached the role in a very Karren from ‘Will and Grace’-esque standpoint, and it was fabulous to behold. Ethan Chapples is simply ideal for the role of Pam’s best friend and struggling monogamist Garth, gaining huge likeability from the very first scene due to the frankness of his character and flamboyant style.
A menagerie of excellently-timed wit, the play moved at a fair pace, with a number of moments that reduced myself and the rest of the audience into a frenzy of face-covering “did they really just say that?” laughter, of which I always hope for. I must particularly applaud the scene in which Garth and Max are crawling through the cabin and choose to ‘inconspicuously’ travel through – yes, through – the bed in order to escape unnoticed, whilst Pam and Patrice are having a conversation before our very eyes. Moments like that, where the audience observes two different things going on at once, adds a fantastic energy to the theatre much akin to being five years old again and doing something you shouldn’t be, afraid of getting caught. There were several other corkers, but another moment worth mentioning is the Cher scene. I won’t give any more away, but Ethan Chapples’ legs in fishnets will have every man wanting to experiment and every woman feeling damn right envious.
A familiar face is that of Lucas Livesey, who is no stranger to the Above the Stag stage. As always, Livesey’s unfalteringly dry wit carried the fully-loaded one-liners with the perfect tone, displaying Max’s lack of enthusiasm but abundance of exasperation with true dramatic skill. Simon Burr, another Above the Stag favourite, is excellent once again as the devilishly charming villain (following on from his nefarious role in the recent Christmas panto) capable of tricking even the savviest of audiences with that chiselled jawline. Chris Clynes takes on the complex character of Drew, spending most of the play being the nearly-nice-guy who is constantly on edge, not so much a comedic character but one fraught with insecurities and melancholy. Each of the characters felt truly relevant to the script’s progression, and were sharply distinctive from one another – which made the grouping together of five very different individuals feel convincing.
Part of the reason as to why Above the Stag’s productions have such a loyal following is that they always bring to the table a cast of extremely versatile and likeable actors, with excellent, innovative sets that make the theatre feel bigger than it is and a consistently impressive use of lighting and sound. You can guarantee that anything you go to see at this theatre will be of superb quality and great entertainment. Aside from this, the bar staff and general theatre team are wonderfully friendly and the atmosphere is always electric. Never disappointed, always hungry for more.
I’ve also now decided to call at least one person a ‘snuggleberry pie’ and see how uncomfortably they react. Go see the show to understand why.
Reviewed by Laura Evans
Photo: PBGstudios
AHOY BITCHES plays at Above The Stag until 26 February 2017