From left, David Bartram-Shaw, Andy Clover, Jamie Cass, Bertie Everson, Sophie Warwick and Jack Craddock. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
STAGE REVIEWTHERE were plenty of titters during It Can Damage Your Health, which was performed by Kaleidoscope Theatre Company at Totland Church Hall last week.
The young cast, aged between 16 and 25, coped admirably well with Eric Chappell’s witty script, which is based on the hit television series Only When I Laugh.
David Bartram-Shaw was excellent in the role of Higgins, the rather cynical long-term patient and I particularly loved his wolfish smile when he was dreaming up a smart comment to bait the others with.
Bertie Everson was the suave hypochondriac Palmer, who loved ogling the pretty nurses, while Andy Clover was perfect in the role of young, nervous Gary, who had never been abroad or had a girlfriend.
Sophie Warwick was great as attractive young nurse Christine, while Jack Craddock had some good speeches as surgeon Gibbs, who was in turn both ratty and deeply caring.
The cast was completed by Jamie Cass as Roland, whose geeky appearance and dry bedside manner was amusing, although he needed a touch more volume at times.
The simple hospital ward set worked very well and I loved the beds — which looked suspiciously like real ones.
The medical staff’s costumes were also very authentic.
It Can Damage Your Health was directed by James Howe, while several other youngsters helped out behind the scenes.