Habeas Corpus at Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Jun 27 2008 by Alison Anderson

FROM the incredibly prolific pen of Alan Bennett comes Habeas Corpus, a trouser dropping, breast groping farce which has a dark thread woven through the colourful tapestry of life and lust in Hove, near Brighton, in 1973.

Central character is world-weary, middle-aged GP Arthur Wicksteed, entrenched in a cold family environment with his outwardly staid wife Constance and hypochondriac son Dennis.

Having watched the Permissive Society erupt around him, this doctor of gloom is desperate to join in, and when the nubile Felicity Rumpers walks into his surgery, his mid-life crisis kicks in. Regardless of professional ethics, he sets out to seduce Miss Rumpers, only to discover that he is competing with Wicksteed junior for her affections.

A collection of other odd-ball characters completes Alan Bennett’s mischievous portrait of a world obsessed with sex.

And looking on to this boiling pot of passion is the Wicksteed’s daily-with-attitude, Mrs Swabb, who delights in giving the audience a running commentary on the trouser-dropping antics of those around her.

This brash, over-the-top and funny farce gallops along at a cracking pace under the direction of Ben Twist, who has the luxury of an ensemble of excellent actors and technicians.

The prescription for Dr Wicksteed’s character is perfectly filled by Dougal Lee, in his seventh PFT season. Karen Davies is the perfect foil to the downbeat doctor with her brash, in your face portrayal of the pompous wife.

Jonathan Coote oozes sleaze as Mr Shanks the salesman of breast enhancers. When Mr Shanks gets his natural and artificial mixed up the farcical fun really lights up, with no holds barred – literally!

This reviewer’s other favourite in the list of actors so perfectly cast is Richard Addison in drag as Mrs Swabb.

A song and a dance or two round off this entertaining production, played out on a bare stage of designer Ken Harrison’s set. It’s inspired by an old-time musical hall, complete with portal of flashing lights and evocative projection which ends with Brighton pier – and Dr Wicksteed’s life – sinking into oblivion.

Farce may not be to everyone’s liking, and younger theatregoers may find the Permissive Society goings-on rather dated, but there is no doubt there’s plenty of life left in Habeas Corpus which is proving excellent PFT fayre in 2008.

Habeas Corpus plays in repertoire until October 15