The Stage

Nobody’s Fool

Published Thursday 11 November 2004 at 13:35 by Mary Redman

Critics sit through a lot of dross, something we take as par for the course, watching with gritted teeth. So it is a joy when well crafted, well directed, well performed and gently relaxing theatre comes along.

It is an absolute pleasure to report that actor Simon Williams has inherited in full measure the comedy writing talents of parents Hugh and Margaret, who were so successful 50 odd years ago. Nobody’s Fool is well crafted and suited to the cast’s innate talents, but this doesn’t mean it’s a lazy play. Particularly not so for Williams as Leonard, a charming yet timid man and a bestselling romantic novelist who writes under a female pseudonym. Unwillingly divorced, he shares his house with father Gus. Bernard Kay thoroughly enjoys this treat of a role playing a ladies man and technology wizard to the full, all the while encouraging pregnant single parent granddaughter Dee Dee (Chloe Newsome) in her adventures. Fran (Louise Jameson) pops in and out of their lives and there’s mileage in Leonard’s acute shyness when she’s about.

The highlight of the play is in the second act when pushy television interviewer Letitia (Joanna van Gyseghem) insists that Leonard’s alter ego appears live on her show. Toppling about on high heels with enough slap to sink the QM2, Williams is a joy as a woman yet allows enough of the man to emerge to make it hilarious for the audience.

Andy de la Tour directs this satisfying evening’s entertainment.