Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis

Published Tuesday 7 February 2006 at 17:10 by Robin Duke

In the seven years since Charlotte Jones was commissioned to write this perfectly crafted six hander for the Bolton Octagon she has become one of Britain’s hottest young talents and the town it was created for has become a centre for comedy (Peter Kay, Paddy McGuinness et al) whilst the play itself has become strangely overlooked.

John Lloyd Fillingham’s directorial debut moves it from its in-the-round origins to endstage and whilst it leaves this single set, day in the life of a dysfunctional sextet of characters a little short on movement it loses nothing of its superb throw away humour, pathos and genuinely moving feelgood denouement.

Kate Webster gives a simply outstanding and magnetic performance as the brain damaged but instinctively wise Brenda-Marie - dreaming of ice dancing, haunted by the death of her twin sister Louise and bewildered by her surprise return at their mother’s 40th birthday party.

Gillian Wright’s Josie, a retiring dominatrix whose cross dressing client Lionel - a marvellously understated performance by David Ericsson whose character grows in stature with each scene - perfectly captures the conflicts of single mother and working one with just one too many secrets.

Yvonne O’Grady likewise gets to the heart of obsessive compulsive cleaner Martha’s character - riddled with insecurities and rituals. Then there is the Chinese Elvis - Lionel’s crooning gift to Josie whose karaoke tribute to the King has not yet mastered either the lyrics or the macho of his mentor. Yo Santhaveesuk is delightful as the effeminate Elvis on a nightmare booking. Only Lucy Atkinson’s Louise is left with little leeway as the returning runaway - but it’s more the role than her take on it in this excellent opening to the Duke’s 2006 season.