Notorious Vicar of Stiffkey Harold Davidson (Greg Haiste) is invited on stage, little suspecting that his own life will be the subject of the show. The style is Edwardian music hall, broadly interpreted to retell the story of the prostitute's padre. Fred (Sarah Ratheram) and Fanny (Mira Dovreni) entertain with song and dance. Innuendo, double entrendre and saucy songs abound, with oohs and groans, revelations and awful puns. It is all tightly controlled by the MC (Matt Devereaux), never getting completely out of hand but verging on the edge of reason.

Harold Davidson's story is solemnly announced in chapters, starting with 'If you finger it you've got to pay for it'. The naughty vicar neglects his parish, spending six days a week ministering to London prostitutes. Greg Haiste's portrayal of an innocent with the occasional knowing grin is low-key, and contrasts effectively with the raucousness of the other characters. These easily become grotesques - a landlady and her daughter, members of the upper classes, bishops - extreme and stereotypical, but believable and strangely attractive.

The vicar meets with young-lady-of-the-night Barbara (Marie Lawrence). He wants to save her, and others. Their developing relationship is punctuated by a variety of music, brilliantly accompanied by Matt Devereaux on piano. There are echoes of Gilbert (1836–1911) & Sullivan (1842–1900), grand opera, music hall songs and modern music. All is well-executed by the ensemble - separately and together, and with excruciating harmony when gospel song intrudes.

Harold Davison indulges his fixation with teeth, persuades upper-class ladies to give him money for fallen women and enrages an army officer disgusted by his actions. Matt Devereaux's Major - another grotesque - is frighteningly real. Eventually the church authorities, press and others determine to bring Harold Davison's ministry to an end. The ecclesiastical court scene - like much of the rest - is reality twisted into the surreal. The awful - and wonderful - thing is that it is believable, and convinces on many levels.

Each member of the cast is multi-talented, in singing, dancing, slapstick, and more serious moments. The Missionary's Position entertains, educates and - at the end - sickens and saddens. It's high quality ensemble theatre which takes a strange scandalous story and seamlessly weaves it into a memorable piece of music hall.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Matt Devereaux - MC / Ensemble. Mira Dovreni - Fanny / Ensemble. Greg Haiste - Harold Davidson. Marie Lawrence - Barbara / Ensemble. Sarah Ratheram - Fred / Ensemble.

Company Credits: Company Credits: Writer - Bernadette Russell. Devised by - The Company. Director - Mick Barnfather. Musical Director - Matt Devereaux. Set Designer - Ellan Parry. Lighting Designer - Christoph Wagner. Sound Designer - Julian Hanby. Costume Designer - Sydney Florence. Technical Operator - uncredited. Production Manager - Ben Pickering. Publicity Designer - Carey Marks at Scarlet. Poster Photography - Andy Bradshaw. Producer - Mrs M Doyreni. Producer - Mr P Spall. Company - Penny Dreadful Productions. Website - www.pennydreadfultheatre.com. See website for national tour dates.

END

(c) Peter Andrews 2009

reviewed Friday 14 May 2009 / Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley, UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com