Review: The Ladykillers, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, Tuesday, September 25

by Jess Banham

Having never seen either versions of the film – I had no idea what to expect when I walked into The Ladykillers in its latest guise at the Marlowe theatre.

What I got was a thoroughly entertaining evening with some genuinely laugh out loud moments.

With a play like The Ladykillers, which involves five male protagonists trying to kill an old granny, there is normally at least one person who is not as strong as the others.

Here that simply was not the case at all - all five men pitched their performances perfectly with no one hideously overacting or trying to be the stand out star.

I do take my hat off to Sean Williamson. To many he will forever be Barry from Eastenders but here played completely against type as an Eastern European hitman and did a pretty good job.

If anyone stole the show it was Michele Dotrice as Mrs Wilberforce, who had the whole audience rooting for her.

A final mention has to go to the set, which was brilliant considering the confined space. The whole play takes place inside the home of Mrs Wilberforce and its crooked walls and slanted floors provide the perfect setting for the claustrophobic and tense action as it unfolds. Many of the props were also brilliant and really added to the comedy, especially when they went wrong!