Adapted from Graham Greene’s 1969 novel the musical covers the adventures of Henry Pulling, a recently retired, conventional bank manager and his newly discovered aunt, Augusta.
Unlike Wilde’s Augusta – the ultra conservative Lady Bracknell – this lady is a life force with a scandalous and rebellious past who sweeps her nephew on a series of journeys to rescue her one true love. For Pulling it is also a journey of self discovery and liberation.
Like the book, the musical is a whistle stop tour of exotic locations within which a series of mini stories are enacted. Its light breezy style brought to mind the musical revues of the sixties – meringue rather than meat.
However Christopher Luscombe’s direction and his cast give the piece charm and above all provide an entertaining evening.
Steven Pacey is spot on as Pulling – blossoming from a spinsterish existence into a rebellious one that embraces love for the first time. The object of this late awakening is Haley Flaherty’s Tooley – a true free spirit of the Sixties.
As the eccentric Aunt Patricia Hodge delights, although a little more Bohemia would have enhanced the performance.
My quibbles were not shared the audience who cheered loudly at the curtain.
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