Introduction
A J.B Priestley play written in 1931 as a vehicle for Peggy Ashcroft, which was left unfinished, but then produced in Liverpool the next year, receives its London premiere 85 years later, in this production by Cahoots Theatre Company, directed by Hugh Ross, at the intimate Park Theatre, Finsbury Park.
Plot
Lord Kettlewell (Brian Protheroe), an old Etonian whose business ventures are failing, has to deal with the weekend from Hell, with the return of his estranged daughter Pamela (Bessie Carter) from Russia, now a Communist and bringing her ardent Comrade, Herbert Staggles (Steven Blakeley); along with visits from both his mistress (Carol Starks) and his ex-wife (Lisa Bowerman); and from Lady Knightsbridge (Richenda Carey), mother to a stream of gossip-writers and tradesmen. The chaos is acidically commented on by Lord Kettlewell's old friend, 'Chuffy' Saunders (Hugh Sachs), whilst butler, Parsons (Derek Hutchinson) attempts to keep order.
Review
Thoroughly enjoyable for start to finish, with Hugh Sachs (best known from 'Benidorm') snatching most of the best lines, but with enough left for the others. Bessie Carter (daughter of Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton) seems to be having the time of her life in this her professional theatre debut, as the mischievous Pamela. Richenda Carey makes the most of her limited stage time in the 'Peggy Ashcroft' role, whilst Steven Blakeley provoked many of the belly-laughs. Lisa Bowerman, the last to arrive, at the end of Act II, now the end of an extended Act I, gets one of the cleverest lines, whilst Brian Protheroe looks more and more haunted as the play progresses. A hilarious look at England in the 1930s, as it looked like the social order might be changing.
Rating: 
'The Roundabout' runs at the Park Theatre, Finsbury Park, London, until 24th September 2016
(https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-roundabout)
Click here for a promotional video.
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