Live from the UK: Thoughts on BOEING BOEING

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 6:27pm

In a word, hilarious.

In a sentence, one of the funniest damn things I've seen in a long time. The 2.5 hours (the first act alone was longer than most American comedies) flew by in the blink of an eye. Got the tickets for 12 pounds at the TKTS booth...even easier operation over here than back home.

Set in a '60s era French villa (where nobody speaks with a French accent), BOEING BOEING tells the story of Bernard (Adrian Dunbar), a middle-aged ladies man with 3 young, very gorgeous, airline stewardess fiancees, Gloria, the American (Amy Nuttall, Gabriella, the Italian (Elena Roger), and Gretchen, the German (Sally Scott on for Doon Mackichan). On this particular day, all three ladies are coming to visit, Gloria for breakfast, Gabriella for lunch, and Gretchen for dinner. Just after Gloria has left for a flight, Bernards old school chum, Robert (an award worthy Neil Stuke), arrives after 10 years for a visit. Soon, all of their flights are cancelled, Bernard has fled with Gabriella for the country (only to soon return), and Robert has to fend off the sexual advances of the two other women...of course, he has help, in form of Bertha, the snarky maid (Rhea Perlman). By the end, everything is tied with a bow that's a little too neat, but it's the only way out.

The cast was uniformly terrific. There is a certain chemistry among all 6 that I've rarely seen. Adrian Dunbar is extremely charming. Sally Smith is great as the tough, terrifying German. Amy Nuttall is a gifted commedienne (and her boobs have great personality of their own), despite an annoying American accent. Elena Roger is the best "non-Italian-doing-an-Italian accent" I've ever seen, though she is Argentinian, so that kinda helps? Rhea Perlman, with her tough, Brooklyn accent, is wonderful as the maid. Despite having the least stage time, she gets the final bow. I guess that's what being an American "tv star" does to you. And then there's Neil Stuke, who, if the show ever transfers to America, simply MUST play the same part in the transfer. His performance is stamped with "Tony winner," guaranteed.

Robert Howell's design and Hugh Vanstone's lighting are pitch perfect. Bruno Tonioli's (of Dancing with the Stars) choreography is great, despite being relegated to the curtain call.

Matthew Warchus has directed a mostly fast-paced production that manages to overcome all the dated elements of Marc Camoletti's play. Slap-stick abound, it's a laugh riot (even the part where Bernard and Robert are on top of each other looking like they're having sex...the same was seen in The Producers). My one complaint was that it took a bit too long to get going (the story doesn't start until well over an hour into the first act).

Overall, a very worth-while trip to the theater. Being that it's the only show I'll get to see this trip, I couldn't have asked for anything better.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 6:39pm

I could see this as a musical

[turquoisefish]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 6:57pm

I saw it a few weeks ago on a whim (I normally only go to musicals).

I loved it. It was interesting as I have seen Amy Nuttal as Eliza Doolittle, Elena Rogers as Eva Peron, Neil Stuke in The Bill, Doon Mackichan on TV in a few things and of course Rhea Perlman in Cheers. The first time I had seen almost the entire cast before in something. The show worked really well and although it is a French play seemed very British to me, I have seen a comedy in a similar vein before on tour. The timing works well and you can associate with what the (no stewardess) characters are feeling trying to cover everything up.

I would say go see it if you get a chance.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 7:49pm

I love the logo. It's perfect.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 7:59pm

What exactly is the reference to the name?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 8:07pm

Boeing is an airplane manufacturer.

As Yankee mentioned, the plot of Boeing Boeing involves three airline stewardesses dating the same man. And read quickly, the title quite playfully comes out as "boing boing," like a spring bouncing - a fun title for a farce.

Ben Brantley was quite enthusiastic for Boeing Boeing earlier this week in his UK theatre blog.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 8:14pm

Oh, thanks Smaxie. See, I knew what Boeing was, but since this takes place in a French villa, I thought the whole "Boeing - airplane company" - wasn't the point, but I see now.

[thtrbear]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 8:34pm

By the way, I believe it's an Italian play.

The current cast is the 2nd cast for this revival, making it less likely that any of them would transfer to America (the 1st cast, though well-known in England, are not shoo-ins to come into a NY production either).

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 9:08pm

>By the way, I believe it's an Italian play.<

It isn't. The playwright, Marc Camoletti has an Italian name, but he was a French citizen, and the play was translated from French.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 9:51pm

Hey Yankee-

Enjoy your trip to England & Ireland !! Dont forget to post some pics from West End when you get back to the States... -j*





Updated On: 8/10/07 at 09:51 PM

[thtrbear]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 10:06pm

French- you're right!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/11/07 at 12:19am

Ironically, the word "Boeing" is mentioned only once throughout the course of the play.

As Smaxie said, the word has multiple meanings, and I'll dare to add another. Boing Boing....the bouncy, spring-like movements of Gloria's well endowed bosom in her tight stewardess outfit.

She gets great laughs from 'em.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/11/07 at 12:41am

This play was turned into an awful film starring Jerry Lewis and Tony Curtis!

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/11/07 at 7:05am

I can't think of a stage farce that really works well on screen. Anyone?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/11/07 at 6:18pm

Noises Off springs to mind...kinda.