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Vicki
has recently completed a tour of the country in a new play Business
Affairs. Penned by Jeremy Lloyd and John Chapman who collaborated on
several of the Allo Allo scripts, it centres around two northern business
men, Stanley Bigley - played by Ken Morley and Norman Harris - portrayed
by Gorden Kaye. When their truck haulage business begins to slip rapidly
into financial decline, Norman and Stanley decide to sell their company to
two foreign buyers and retire to Spain. In order to secure the deal they
decide to book a suite in a plush London hotel and at the request of their
clients, include two high class ladies of the night as a little late
evening diversion for after the deal is completed.
All
appears to be going well until the escort girls cancel and Stanley and
Norman's wives, Hilda and Rose - played by Vicki and Carol Harrison arrive
unexpectedly. Naturally, in true comedy style they are mistaken by the
foreign buyers as the evenings entertainment. In order to save the deal,
the wives decide to play along much to the dismay of their respective
husbands but when the real agency girls turn up due to a change in events,
chaos ensues. This highly experienced cast of renowned comedy actors
promise much and do not fail to deliver having the audience in fits of
giggles within seconds of curtain up.
For
Vicki Business Affairs proved to be a "knockout" success in every sense.
Not only did she receive much critical acclaim for her portrayal as Hilda
and with the show playing to sell out audiences but an over enthusiastic
gesticulation from one of her colleagues in an early performance, resulted
in her accidentally receiving a blow on the chin sending her reeling and
the audience temporarily into silence. However, as you would expect from a
true professional and after taking only a few moments to catch her breath,
Vicki and the show carried on regardless.
This
role enabled Vicki to exploit her comedy skills to the full, which she did
with great relish commanding as many laughs from a knowing glance or
gesture as she did from executing a perfectly timed line. Not least it
gave her the opportunity to provide us with a new accent from her already
extensive repertoire, something she has long been acknowledged as
excelling at. The proof was in evidence with the cheers at the final
curtain.
Business Affairs was first performed at the Mercury Theatre - Colchester
in March 2001. It then toured to Eastbourne, Cambridge, Blackpool,
Manchester, Stoke, Dartford, Malvern, Guildford, Bath, Norwich and
Plymouth. Completing the cast were Keith Drinkel, Daniel Kruyer, Suzie
Chard and Sally Chattaway.
Reviews
Eastbourne Herald
 All four actors
work well together and Vicki Michelle as Hilda is particularly good, with
a believably naturalistic performance.
This Is
Bath
Vicki Michelle and
Carol Harrison demonstrate admirably they can manage Business Affairs most
astutely.
A vehicle that
serves its stars very capably.
The
Stage
They all get their
laughs. Vicki Michelle and Carol Harrison blossoms under temptation
Cues are picked up
faultlessly without delay.
There is never a
dull moment, the lines rattle along like machine gun fire.
The
Sentinel
This production
has the formidable comic talents of Ken Morley & Gorden Kaye. - more
confident comic playing from Vicki Michelle and Carol Harrison.
Local
Press
Gorden Kaye and
Vicki Michelle of Allo Allo fame brought the droll, dry wit of Rene and
the earthy sexiness of Yvette back to life.
Impressively sharp
and fast moving.
Vicki Michelle and
Carol Harrison vamp it up beautifully. |
