“Duck!”

shouts someone from behind the bar of an (ordinarily) tranquil country pub. At least I think it was a pub. As I look back, it’s hard to be sure, such was the frenetic nature of the scene. But I certainly recall a flying duck, hurled across the stage and landing not far in front of my seat, as the warning cry was shouted out.

It looked a little like a decoy duck, those wooden carved waterfowl used to attract real ducks when out hunting, which now regularly turn up at antique fairs as desirable collector’s items. If I’d had the time, I’d probably have considered its composition. Was it hand carved, or moulded plastic? Was it a vintage decoy duck, or something a little more recent? It clearly wasn’t an early Egyptian clay version formed on the banks of the Nile, but as a decoy duck it could perhaps be intended to suggest a theme of deception? But there was little time to consider this further, as another flying object flew across the room. This time a wig.

“Keep your hair on!” cried out another voice.

 

s I laughed out loud and appreciated the comic timing and sheer ridiculousness of everything going on, I couldn’t help thinking. Wig. Decoy duck. Things are not what they seem to be!

And indeed, they were not. This was fast paced, high energy comedy, and if I’m perfectly honest, not quite what I’d expected when I booked tickets to see Our Star Theatre Company’s performance of The Invisible Man.

Before the show, I’d been expecting something darker. And perhaps slower paced. A glass of red wine, maybe, suspended motionless in the centre of the stage. Or an empty rocking chair moving slowly forwards and back. And while the show did not disappointment on any of these things, this trip to the theatre was so much more than an eerie, haunting, evening escape.

It was super-charged. It was comedy. It was pantomime. It was audience interactive. It was frenetic. It was farce. It was magnificent use of props. It was perfect timing and great direction (Ben Mowbray). It was self-deprecating. It was wild. It was a costume change frenzy. It was, frankly, a blast. And all of this was delivered by three actors who, along with the flying duck, literally hurled themselves at times, into their multiple roles.

Daniel Davies anchored the madness with an understated calm, which slowly unravelled with events when required. Rhys Harris-Clarke made an instant connection with the audience, and sustained a sense of real affection throughout the show. And Georgina Sockett was genuinely outstanding, with performances which tied everything together perfectly. Georgina’s turn as the local vicar merits special mention.

This play is still on tour until June, and details can be found on their website, below. If you are local to Torbay, it will be in Brixham May 22nd, and also in Plymouth the day before.

And more good news, the theatre company will be returning to Paignton this Autumn with The Three Musketeers. If it is anything like their Invisible Man, it will be, simply, must see!