REVIEW: Dry Rot at Aldridge Youth Theatre

Sep 19 2009 by Andrew Coleman, Birmingham Mail

DRY ROT

Aldridge Youth Theatre

WHITEHALL farce has arrived at the gallop in Aldridge with the theatre’s senior group performing this classic play written by John Chapman.

A lovable gang of bookies, planning to nobble the favourite at a nearby racecourse, book in and create a bit of mayhem with their crackpot preparations, and Alexander Fisher is outstanding as their chirpy leader, Alfred Tubbe.

Excellent support, too, from Joseph Cryan and Joe Green, playing his crooked cohorts, Fred Phipps and Flash Harry. Wesley Hallam proves an excellent Colonel Henry Wagstaff, with sound contributions from Steffi Procter (Mrs Doris Wagstaff) and Rebecca Arblaster (Beth, the maid).

Freddie Trengove is perfectly cast in the role of French jockey Albert Polignac... he is the great, great, great grandson of a famous French jockey, Alfred Lavis.

Directed by Patricia Harrison, Dry Rot runs until tonight.

VERDICT: HHHHI

PAUL MARSTON