picture from everymanplayhouse.com

Originally published by L.S. Media. December 9th 2010.

Cast: Helen Carter, Annabelle Dowler, Javier Marzan, John Nicholson, Clare Thomson, Milo Twomey.

Take a pinch of Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life, mix it up with lashings of Hans Christian Anderson’s tale of The Little Match Girl and add the very best of humour from theatre company Peepolykus you end up with a compelling, sometimes heartstring pulling and totally absorbing production of No Wise Men.

Directed by Gemma Bodinetz, No Wise Men is one of those rare tales that seems to fit in the Christmas period more than other story. The play, written superbly by actor John Nicholson and Steven Canny, deals with age old problems of magic, excess, thoughtlessness and greed wonderfully.

The story starts slowly with the protagonist Jack having been caught up in a deal that he believes will net him the financial security he deserves, however in reality he has become the victim of a sting that has cost his wife her life savings. The story builds from a chance meeting at the airport with Murray, the audience is privy to the downfall and absurd situations that he finds himself in order to rescue his own life from Murray. The play gathers pace during the second half and had the audience facing mixed emotions between the genuine heart touching moments and Jack’s redemption.

The cast included the magnificent Annabelle Dowler who is no stranger to the Playhouse having been in a few productions over the years, including a stand out performance as one of the children in the Flint Street Nativity. Alongside Annabelle are Helen Carter, the afore mentioned John Nicholson, Clare Thompson, Milo Twomey and the impressive Javier Marzan who gave the performance of a lifetime as the Portuguese Elf Murray.

The play deserves to be counted as one of the great Christmas shows put on by the Playhouse Theatre, thought provoking, heart breaking and just wonderfully absurd.

Ian D. Hall