09.02.24 to 02.03.23 – A Leap in the Dark’ – The New Vic Theatre

‘A Leap in the Dark’ – by Ron Hutchinson – The New Vic Theatre

Photographs Courtesy of Andrew Billington

First commissioned by BBC Radio 4 this play celebrates the 100^th anniversary of the UK’s first ever radio play, and is indeed a story about putting to air that first ever play.  The fact that this started out as a radio play and has been adapted to a stage play about ‘putting on a radio play’ is genius, if somewhat confusing.   The subject matter sounds like serious business, despite the marmalade, and pre-performance, I wondered how it would be turned into a ‘hilarious comedy caper’, but hilarious comedy caper it was!!

Just 8 actors take on all of the roles, and each gave a first-rate performance.  There were a few familiar faces among them who had graced the NewVic stage recently including Suzanne Ahmet from ‘Marvellous’ also Perry Moore and Andrew Pollard from ‘Tom Dick and Harry’.

The plot begins with the character Cedric Maud, BBC bigwig, and his assistant Grace, who come up with a plan for a play to be performed on radio to entertain listeners and raise the profile of the BBC.  The ideas are inspired by Grace who skilfully convinces Maud that all the ideas are his.  Of course, at first it was inconceivable – but we now know that as well as radio plays– radio itself is a great medium for the imagination to work beautifully.  Some years ago, for example, on another radio station, The Hitmix station manager, Robbie, convinced everyone for months that he was actually presenting from the basement rather than the studio after describing his damp surroundings in intricate detail.  Radio is a special one to one relationship between broadcaster and each individual listener.

This is a very fast-moving play with many different elements –strong characters in Cedric and Grace, Nigel and May Playfair, Lady Hartley and her daughter, Richard Hughes the writer – then peppered with comedy gems, sound effects, accents and superb onstage rapport.  The character ‘Nigel Playfair is a very compelling character played splendidly by the charismatic Andrew Pollard.

‘A Leap in the Dark’ is a fabulous feel-good play, that provides a good old giggle combined with a great story, and it is once again, a must-see production from the New Vic Theatre.

You can see this great play at the New Vic up to Saturday 2^nd March.  For tickets and more information go to the website https://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/productions/a-leap-in-the-dark/