Spyski - Liverpool Playhouse

Spyski by Steven Canny and John Nicholson
Director: David Farr
Associate Director (Tour) Andy Burden
Reviewer: Stephanie Rowe

Oscar Wilde is perhaps one of the greatest British playwrights of all time, and arguably his most revered show is that of “The Importance of Being Ernest” and this is the show that we have all came to see or is it?

If the set (lavishly designed by Tom Piper) and the programme are anything to go by then yes, but as the show starts and the actors take their places at the top of Act 1, the scene is disturbed by a member of the audience shouting down a radio and running around the auditorium and off he goes disappearing almost as quickly as he appeared.

Peepolykus are well known for their crazy antics and physical theatre productions, and this production of an actor who stumbles upon a sinister plan by the British and Russian Governments to create nations of placidly obedient citizens with the use of genetic engineering is no different. Throw in a baby in a rucksack and the almost compulsory love story and this is what you get with SPYSKI!

The actors are giving over to this production 110% with more energy than the Duracell Bunny and this must be applauded, add in the cleverly crafted use of props and on stage illusions that only help keep the audience’s attention throughout, leaving most of the audience hanging on to the edge of their seats for the next gag and one liner to come and make them laugh.

Judging by the audience’s reaction they loved this show people were howling throughout, but I just wasn’t able to connect with this piece, don’t get me wrong I love comedy as much as the next person, but this was too far on the wing in the humour stakes for myself.

I personally felt though, as if I was watching a bunch of over -zealous actors running around the stage being incredibly stupid the kind of behaviour I would expect to see in the school playground and certainly not on the stage...but then again what do I know for I was obviously in the minority, and the rest of the audience were lapping up every gag and enjoying every minute.

Spyski is on at the Liverpool Playhouse until Sat 21st March 09