A new comedy production marking the 100th anniversary of the broadcast of the UK’s first ever radio play opened this week at New Vic.
A Leap In The Dark was originally commissioned for Radio 4 and the author re-imagined it for the stage. It tells the tale of the conception and production of ‘A Comedy Of Danger’, broadcast in January 1924 and written by a then 23 year old Richard Hughes for the BBC. ‘What’s happened?’. ‘The light have gone out’ began the first ever radio play and paved the way for dramas we love today including the most famous, ‘The Archers’.
The eight strong cast, some of whom play multiple roles, bring to life the tale as a fast-paced comedy caper. Following Cedric Maud and his creative assistant, Grace Gumby’s search for a drama they could bring to microphone, they turn to Nigel Playfair for direction who commissions Richard Hughes to write the monumental script.
Familiar faces to the New Vic Suzanne Ahmet (Marvellous) and Andrew Pollard (Tom, Dick & Harry) played husband and wife Nigel and May Playfair. Perry Moore and Alyce Liburd play BBC staff Cedric Maud and Grace Gumby with Ben Norris playing author Richard Hughes. Angela Bain, Madeleine Leslay and Robert Pickavance play multiple roles.
The cast were fantastic, high energy and really used the props and stage to full effect. The scene depicting the live production of the play was hilarious and so many clever uses of the sound effects. The physical comedy was marvellous.
It was so cleverly done with the attention to detail in the stage, costumes and mannerisms. The production really was laugh out loud funny in both its physicality and witty dialogue but most importantly, it wasn’t at the detriment of the storyline and the real characters behind it, with the magnitude of what they were doing, trials and tribulations really coming through.
It’s an important part of history, cleverly told, in a extremely funny way, with a superb cast and excellently directed.
The show is running until 2nd March and tickets are available here: https://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/productions/a-leap-in-the-dark/
