Theatre Review: Eric in Downtown @ The New Vic

Review by Dave Stringer

The summer may almost be over but the theatre goers of North Staffordshire and beyond know that the fun has definitely not stopped as we enter the Eric season.

The Eric franchise has been a staple part of the New Vic scene in late August and pre-Christmas for most of the last 27 years and offers a mix of comedy and music from the sixties that draws packed audiences for every two-week run.

This year is no exception as Eric in Downtown Abbey is the latest offering to see David Graham and his cast send an audience of mixed generations home with a spring in their step and a smile on their collective faces.

The hapless Eric (Graham) and his long-suffering wife Bev (Laura Sheppard) have finally found employment as part of the downstairs staff of Downtown Abbey which is owned by Lord Trentham (David Benson).

Eric and Bev are quickly put to work with the team and Cilla (Georgia Gagen) quickly catches Eric’s eye. Cilla is oblivious to Eric’s desires as she already has a thing for Ronnie (Alan Howell) and Welsh scullery maid Gwen (Carly Cook) is out of the running as she has a boyfriend back home.

Bev takes a shine to the shy Norman (Chris Coxon) but he has the hots for Gwen so the new appointments can only concentrate their minds on their employment alongside chauffeur Branston (Tom Bevan) who speaks in a language that all but Eric can understand and kitchen lad Joseph (Joe Cockx).

There is however a major problem. The staff have not been paid for some time and butler Mr Sarson (Benson) announces that this situation will continue for the foreseeable future as the financial conditions are getting worse. A gorilla has escaped from the safari park meaning that the grounds have had to be closed to the public and valuable items have been disappearing from the Abbey.

Fearful that he will receive no pay for his efforts, Eric makes it his job to rectify the situation. He is determined to recapture the gorilla and has ex-convict Ronnie in his sights for the frequent thefts. But is he right about Cilla’s beau? And has he got the power to retake the roaming primate?

As regular attenders of Eric productions know, the plot behind the play is always secondary to the laugh-a-minute comedy routines and the excellent music provided by the versatile cast and every opportunity is made to burst into – mostly 60s – music.

The score is always a mix of regular songs that have become audience favourites over the years and new additions which are appropriate to the theme of the show. One delightful extra this time around was a superb rendition of a faux French song by Benson sung in the style of Kennet Williams but the concert finale is the chance for all to be on their feet and dance their way back to their cars.

This definitely is not Chekhov but it is more importantly a fabulous evening’s entertainment that leaves the audience desperate for the next episode in November. Graham may be working downstairs in this production but he and his crew are true masters of their craft and lords of the New Vic. I look forward to the next show from our own national treasures.

Eric in Downtown Abbey continues until September 5^th with a running time of approximately 2 hours 45 minutes including interval. For ticket information contact 01782 717962