A hilarious showcase of the Liverpool lives, humour and sensibilities on stage
As a non-native of Liverpool, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a show set in a traditional café there. However, the moment I saw Scrantastic and was introduced to its characters, I knew I was in for a hilarious, camp, and fast-paced night.
Alice Bunker-Whitney (writer) and Francesca Goodridge (director) combine tropes from well-known police dramas with suspense, a touch of insanity, and witty humor to create a killer show (pun intended).
Mandy (Lindzi Germain) and Shanon (Hayley Sheen) have just murdered their boss at work. Without spoiling the plot of the show, the duo must navigate how to cover up their actions. However, they face obstacles such as a badge guy, a builder, a customer in desperate need of a skinny latte, and an aubergine seller who impede their efforts to cover up the bloodshed.
The show is a brilliant farcical comedy that uses a lot of slapstick and physical humour to entertain its audience. Who would have thought that a latte could be sipped through a letterbox, a bra could be used to tie people to a chair, or a body could be safely hidden in a “cupboard of *****”?
I understand why Lindzi Germain is a celebrity among Scouse comedy lovers. Her brash, obnoxious, men obsessed, larger-than-life portrayal of Mandy was brilliant and had its ups and downs. Her partner in crime, Shannon (played by Hayley Sheen), was a relatable, serious character that resonated with all young people who have to deal with the consequences of “grown-ups” who should know better. Haven’t we all been there?
The cast is brilliantly completed by Anthony Gough, a visually impaired character that sells badges; Jay Johnson, a builder with anger issues; and Adam McCoy, who multitasks and portrays different characters with hilarious vocal deliveries that are instantly recognizable.
I also absolutely loved the bright and boisterous set design by Alfie Heywood. I’m sure I’ve seen that cafe somewhere before. Ian Scott’s seamless lighting design was also impressive.
Twists and turns, brilliant comedic timing, and believable characters make A Greasy Spoon a brilliant comedy that showcases human flaws and the way our minds complicate our existence when we believe we are in danger. Though at times, I found the pace too frantic to keep up with and the characters could have benefited from a bit more depth and sensitivity, I realised at the end of the show that I wanted even more…