Taking a TV comedy favourite and transferring it to the live stage can be fraught with difficulties but, by enlisting the talents of the original writer and two of British theatres most enduring and endearing actors, the stage version of Waiting for God, currently appearing at the Devonshire Park Theatre, is just as good, if not better, than the original television show.
Michael Aitkens has updated the setting to the present day and, as well as making room for the acerbic wit that the TV audience would expect, he focusses a lot more on the philosophical aspect of ageing, and offers up some superbly poignant moments in the show.
Nichola McAuliffe plays long term resident of the Bay View Retirement Village, Diana Trent, and is quite clearly having the time of her life playing the cantankerous, caustic and incredibly funny character. She delivers Aitkens’ superb one-liners with consumate ease and, in the more touching moments, uses just a look or a gesture to convey bucketloads of heartfelt emotion.
Although he stepped in very much at the “last moment” to replace Roy Hudd, Jeffrey Holland was just made to play the role of, new arrival, Tom Ballard. Quite posh, slightly crackers but with a heart of gold, his character makes a great stooge for McAuliffe’s character, while retaining enough individuality and personality to have both comedic and tragic moments of his own.
As devotees of the 1990’s TV show will know, the retirement village is managed by Harvey Baines, aided by his hopelessly devoted assistant, Jane Edwards. Samuel Collings and Emily Pithon work very well together, with Collings as the money grabbing, emotionally devoid manager and Edwards as his dim-witted, desperate but staunchly faithful helper.
Taking on the roles of Sarah Chase, Diana Trent’s niece, and Geoffrey Ballard, Tom’s son, are Joanna Bending and David Benson. Once again they seem to be really enjoying working on the show and, as a result, give performances that really give body and credence to the tale, as well as adding yet more hilarity to the proceedings.
In act two, the addition of Corinna Marlowe, as both Doctor Henry and a Funeral Director, and Peter Cadden as Reverand Dennis Sparrow allow what is a rather gentle and sophisticated comedy to decend into farce but, even with chaos happening all around them, McAuliffe and Holland pull the rabbit out of the hat with an unexpected twist and a brilliant final scene.
Waiting for God shows those of us who are referred to as the “Baby Boomer” generation that growing old gracefully is for wimps, and that growing old disgracefully offers up the chance of an untold number of wonderful adventures – and some pretty good sex too!
**** Four Stars
