The Doppel Gang
17th Jan to 11th Feb 2017
Tristan Bates Theatre
“The Doppel Gang, a new comedy by Dominic Hedges, explores the wild wit of iconic comedy giants The Marx Brothers. Presented by Just Some Theatre Company, The Doppel Gang has generous helpings of British humour and humility.
As the Blitz ravages London, a hopeless theatre manager persuades a desperate double act and a not-so-convincing male impersonator to join him in an audacious stunt – impersonating The Marx Brothers. With one last roll of the dice, this group of entertainers battle to save the theatre from closure. The curtain is about to rise but so are the stakes as an unprecedented series of revelations leads to an exhilarating chain of events. Will anyone believe they are the real Marx Brothers?
The Doppel Gang fuses classic British comedy with the endless energy of the Marx Brothers, who at the time the play is set were dominating the comedy scene in the US. With its precision timing and authentic 40s soundtrack, the audience are transported to wartime London and the antics used to boost morale”.
Writer Dominic Hedges
Director Terence Mann
Lombard/Chico Jake Urry
Cyril/Groucho Jordan Moore
Tommy/Harpo Peter Stone
Rachel/Colette Rachel Hartley
(Photo Credit Mitchell Reeve)
Review by Richard Lambert, 5 Stars
It’s rare to come across a show like this. Designed to fit the space, lots and lots of clever ideas, “choreographed” set changes, props, costumes, set, lighting (Mitchell Reeve), soundscape – all done to such a high quality. This is a gem of a show!
The Proscenium Arch actually moves up and down stage, the door truck revolves, you are transported from front of house, to backstage. There are gauzes with lighting bleed reveals. Even the Dressing room mirror is carefully lit to reflect or allow transparency. Everything built to fit this wonderful little theatre. Pure magic!!!
This is theatre artistry and technical genius at its best!
The script is witty and kept us chuckling throughout! With costumes to match the period (Wartime 1940s) you forgive the fact that the theatre would appear to be struggling UK Vaudeville while the Marx brothers were in reality doing films and entertaining the good ‘ole folks in New York City. Without giving out spoilers the show’s premise might be a little stretched but none the less it’s a good story done well.
The programme (again a high quality product) shows photos of the Cast actually building the (rather squeaky) wooden stage floor and this really sums up the production – 100% commitment from everyone involved.
Lots and lots of creativity and passion has created this wonderful production!
Tuesday to Sunday, 7.30pm
Sunday matinees, 3pm
Running time 1 hour 35 minutes
Twitter@justsometheatre, @TristanBates,#DoppelGang
Tristan Bates Theatre, 1a Tower Street, London WC2H 9NP
www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk
How to get there Tristan Bates Theatre is located in the Actors Centre on Tower Street. The nearest underground stations are Leicester Square (on the Northern and Piccadilly lines) and Tottenham Court Road (on the Northern and Central lines). The nearest rail station is Charing Cross
Box Office Tickets are available priced £16 (£14 concessions)
Available from Tristan Bates Theatre Box Office and www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk or 020 3841 6611 or boxoffice@tristanbatestheatre.co.uk
Just Some Theatre Company
Just Some Theatre Company was founded in 2012 by actors Jake Urry and Peter Stone. Their aim was to produce professional theatre productions and provide workshops for young performers. Despite perhaps not being the most opportune time to start a new arts company in the UK, they have continued to grow and develop in many ways. They have since expanded to the team to include Jordan Moore – and three