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It’s not what we want to think about right now, when the biggest decision is Toffs or Gallery, but one day we’re all going to be getting on in life; settled, married and for some of us, dealing with the trials of parenthood. We’ll be juggling the violin lessons, the ironing, little Billy’s sports practice and cooking the next meal. Close your eyes and imagine… if that’s what you envisage, then this is the play for you.
Jane Bond is the latest offering from Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding, the comedy duo responsible for amongst others, Radio 4’s Lipservice and BBC2’s “Out and About”, in co-production with the Duke’s Lancaster. It describes itself as a “pacey pastiche as refreshing as a twist of lemon in a bone dry martini” and the performance is certainly never slow. Fox plays the heroine-of-sorts Jane Bond, juggling family life and the role as an international spy, whilst Ryding acts most of the other characters, including the arch-villain Blowdry, transferring between them with near-seamless and comic ease.
A pacey pastiche as refreshing as a twist of lemon in a bone dry martini
The routine itself certainly isn’t bad. Fox and Ryding work well against the simple black and silver backdrop, and the clever use of pop-ups and an acrobatic stuntman, posing as Fox while she nips off (apparently to feed the kids!), keep audience interest. The duo’s dry humour and interaction with the crowd mean that there is rarely a dull moment.
You can’t however, help get the feeling that this production is one for the older generation, coming across as a stage version of one of those early evening BBC comedies - something your mum would enjoy. Its quirky style of entertainment about the woes of balancing family and work and the tribulations of finding things in handbags seemed firmly aimed at the middle-aged members of those in attendance, who received it well, but seemed to me to be fairly contrived.
Much like a Johnny Vaughan sit-com, the play seemed to get better towards its finale. Whether that was my hope for an impending finish, or a generally better second half (which gave more laughs than the first) remains a mystery. This was certainly not a wasted night, but one which could have lived up more to the Bond name. After all, you only live twice.
Jane Bond runs at York Theatre Royal from the 27th November to the 1st December. Shows are at 7.30pm each night with a Saturday Matinee at 2pm.Tickets are priced £9 - £18 adults; £5 concessions. Box Office: 01904 623568. Website: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
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