The Cherry Orchid Review

As soon as we arrived to take our seats, we were immediately drawn into the story. Tom Lane, who played the innocent bystander, was already on the stage, impeccably dressed in a bow tie, meticulously sweeping the floor whilst attending to his beloved orchid. His playful interaction with the audience – welcoming us and seeking our opinions on the orchid’s display – immediately set the lighthearted tone for the night and we were already chuckling to ourselves before the play had even started.

Things only got better during Act 1 with the introduction of Agent James King, the assassin played by Gregor Copeland. Immediately the chemistry between the two leads was contagious, drawing you into the absurdity of the situation. Their dynamic was punchy, with the strained tension evident between them, only to be diffused by their boisterous gags.

Copeland and Lane had incredibly high-energy, which was palpable throughout the whole performance. They made good use of the stage, constantly moving and switching up the distance between one another to show their ever-shifting dynamic. They even had a surprise dance break towards the end of Act 1, which was a standout moment. Hilarious and unexpected, it solidified Act 1 as stronger and more memorable than Act 2.

Copeland, in particular, had excellent physicality, from jumping on sofas, to rolling along the floor, to theatrically acting out how he had killed previous victims just with their thumb; you couldn’t help but be drawn into his actions. 

Nonetheless, for me, the standout performance had to be from Hannah Clancy-Hughes, who played the assassin’s previous partners and the intruders that kept interrupting the two leads. With comedies, there’s always the risk that actors can overplay their roles to the point of ridicule, but Clancy-Hughes struck the perfect balance. It was a joy to watch her demonstrate her range as she seamlessly transitioned from an innocent delivery man to ‘Ms Crime Boss’.