Lymington Players
The Malt Theatre, Lymington Community Centre, Lymington
Anne Waggott
16 May 2025
“Get ready for a high-flying comedy!” The invitation was extended by Lymington Players – and after a slight technical hiccup on first attempt at take-off (safety first, of course!) – that’s exactly what we got!
Set in the late 1960s (with attitudes and themes “of their time” – and not condoned in more enlightened days), Boeing Boeing follows the antics of lothario Bernard, a charming yet chauvinistic bachelor juggling his relationships with three lovely flight attendant fiancées, each unaware of the others’ existence. With the arrival of a new, faster Boeing jet, Bernard’s perfectly timed plans and schedules – used to keep his fiancées far apart and in ignorant bliss of each other – are scattered to the winds, leading to a whirlwind of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, chaos and much ensuing hilarity.
From the moment you approached the entrance to Lymington Community Centre, the tone was set; airport style signs directing the audience to the auditorium and bar (sorry…, Airport Lounge for Duty Free!), the Front of House staff in cabin crew attire, preshow 1960s airport ambient music, passport-stamped amusing programmes, brilliantly appropriate preshow Tannoy announcements… all combined to create the atmosphere and establish the location for the evening’s entertainment, showing minute attention to detail throughout the whole experience.
Paul Skelton was splendid as Bernard, the suave, smooth-talking, sexist and perpetual bachelor. Dave Woods was superb as his initially-naïve-soon-to-be-converted-into-the-swinging-60s old chum, Robert, bouncing around the stage with all the energetic enthusiasm of a very excitable, mischievous and impressionable school friend.
The trio of glamourous flight attendants were wonderfully portrayed by Emily-Jane Charge (American Gloria), Bee Neal (Italian Gabriella) and Victoria Sandford (German Gretchen), each with suitable accents and mannerisms for their individual characters. Timing, characterisation and physicality from each of these five actors was absolutely spot on.
However, it was Ruth Alinek as Bernard’s maid and exasperated enabler, Bertha, who stole the show for me – each acerbic comment, glance, facial expression and mannerism were sheer perfection and, quite frankly, brought the house down. Bertha might not have found the shenanigans “easy” to manage, but Alinek didn’t falter once!
The cast have gelled remarkably well. Four of the six actors were making their Lymington Players debuts (though clearly not their first time on stage!), while the remaining two were making only their second appearance with this talented group of thespians. The cohesiveness, rapport and comic timing were as though they have all known each other for years, rather than a relatively short rehearsal period. All showed a wonderful aptitude for comedy and farce in particular, which was relished by the capacity audience, and Lymington Players have gained some marvellous new actors.
Director Neil Phillips and Producer Janette Russell had a very clear ‘flight plan’, ensuring a virtually seamless show, with superb pace for farce (I’ve rarely seen the farcical entrances and exits done more precisely), distinctive characterisations and excellent aesthetics, supported by first-rate backstage crew. The set (Bernard’s apartment) was garish, lurid and had geometric patterned walls (typically 1960s style and entirely appropriate for the play), with the requisite number of entrances for a farcical, door-slamming setting, all expertly used with precision timing (“It isn’t easy!”). Very apt costumes, simply effective lighting and a great array of directional sound effects completed the production elements.
One minor, pernickety personal niggle (quickly forgiven, if not forgotten, thanks to the quality of the performances) was why, when the stewardesses all had specific accents for their characters’ nationalities, the French residents (established in a French location, with French terminology and occasional use of French accents in Marc Camoletti’s French play translated into English) spoke with a very English accent. But that really is nit-picking and in no way spoiled the inflight entertainment for the evening!
Boeing Boeing has one final performance tonight, Saturday 17 May; if you’re fortunate enough to have secured a ticket for this sell-out production, then buckle up, sit back, and indulge in your duty frees… but brace yourself – there may be turbulence ahead! However, be assured that you’re in for one heck of an enjoyable flight!