The North East Theatre Guide: Review: Frank Sumatra at Newcastle Alphabetti

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

Review: Frank Sumatra at Newcastle Alphabetti

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The Simian Overlord Rules The Roost

Frank Sumatra

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Monday 2^nd to Saturday 7^th May 2016

Balham Theatre N16, The Bedford

Monday 9^th to Wednesday 18^th May 2016

Written by Mike Yeaman

Directed by Neil Armstrong

Cast: Pip Chamberlin, Dean Logan and Hannah Walker.

Photo: Graeme Thompson

Bev and Keith are a young couple who are trying everything they can to get in the family way. They put issues to one side, such as Bev’s kleptomaniac mother or the lack of Keith’s earnings. However during a conversation about whose turn it was to put the bins out there is a knock at the door…

Their visitor is the orange orang-utan that they had adopted in lieu of a birthday present. What was a baby that had lost its home is now a teenager armed with Peppa Pig and an i-Pad with a speak and spell app. Frank quickly makes himself at home causing devastation in the kitchen.

Photo: Graeme Thompson

Having a huge animal crawling around the house quickly changes their relationship and there ability to live a normal life. The resultant chaos leads to many great comedic moments that have the audience laughing regularly.

Photo: Graeme Thompson

The production not only has an unusual scenario to describe but does it in an unusual way.

Mike Yeaman’s play takes the format of a radio play with Dean Logan creating the many sounds of the orang-utan devastating the couple’s home. Leaving the trail of destruction to the audience’s imagination is a masterstroke.

Photo: Graeme Thompson

Hannah Walker and Pip Chamberlin are delightful as the couple who did not anticipate the creatures arrival. The chemistry between the three members of the cast helps the comedic situations develop.

We had the pleasure of seeing the previous tour of Frank Sumatra NETG Review LINK and the quality of the script continues to shine through.

Frank Sumatra is a hilarious simian riot.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo.