Betty Blue Eyes at the Union Theatre. Photo Michaela WalsheFilmed originally as A Private Function, the story of queuing, austerity and pork chops set in 1947 Yorkshire, centres on a good hearted chiropodist Gilbert Chilvers (Sam Kipling) and his domineering, socially aspirational wife Joyce (Amelia Atherton). Their efforts to rise through the ranks by joining the purveyors and providers of commercial goods and services on the shopping parade, are thwarted by members of the local council planning committee — the very same upstanding townsfolk who are hiding a dirty secret in the form of a unsanctioned piglet being fattened as the centrepiece for a dinner to celebrate the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Their plans to open a chiropodist practice dashed, the Chilvers enact revenge by stealing the pig for themselves. But how could anyone consider a beautiful blue-eyed creature named Betty, mere bacon?
George Styles and Anthony Drewe’s surprise hit first saw the light of day in the West End production starring Sarah Lancashire and Reece Shearsmith who both received Olivier nominations for their performances and which drew a steady stream of patrons to the Novello Theatre back in 2011. This small-scale revival directed by Sasha Regan, crams a lot into a small space and whilst some inexperienced cast members may have a tendency to over-sing and mug their ensemble parts to excess, there is undoubted commitment, passion and love for what they are doing, which should be celebrated and acknowledged (whilst a little dialling-down is encouraged).
There were a few technical difficulties (especially around sound and lighting) on opening night, but even notoriously blasé stage crew members can be forgiven an attack of nerves when Cameron Macintosh and other theatrical notables are dotted among reviewers in the first few rows. As with post war Britain in the 1940s, many fringe shows can feel a little frayed at the edges and in need of financial investment, but they also offer value for money to patrons and a supportive environment in which our talented performers of the future can hone and develop their skills, so this reviewer would like to wish everyone involved in the production the very best of luck for the run.
