Basket Case (review)

BASKET Case, the debut stage play by TV sit-com writer Nick Fisher, would have made a so-so episode of one of his earlier works (circa 1980 I’d say) but as a new comedy vehicle for Mr Smoothie, Nigel Havers, it was hopelessly dated and incredibly disappointing.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Sep 2011, 18:18 BST

It should have been a shoo-in for the popular actor. In a case of perfect typecasting, he plays Mr Smoothie, Guy, a walking cliché who ticked almost all the right boxes.

He’s a selfish, self-centred, misogynist who managed to pull off the perfect middle-class life. Beautiful blonde wife, two gorgeous moppets, a designer home complete with designer kitchen and wardrobe, obligatory dog and, of course, the requisite (younger) mistress.

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Eventually lust gets the better of him and he moves in with the girlfriend only being dragged back to the marital nest when the aforesaid pooch, Toby, is about to croak.

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The event gives Guy and designer wife Miranda (they’re much too posh for a surname) a chance to rake over the coals and discuss where it all went wrong.

Mr Havers premièred Basket Case at the Royal & Derngate before taking it on a brief tour and a possible stint in the West End. Really ?

There were a few laughs but mainly from the excellent support. David Cardy as Guy’s best friend, James, made the comedy look effortless and had the best lines while Graham Seed, as devoted but dull vet Martin, proved the perfect straight-man.

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Meanwhile the star, shockingly dressed in an ill-fitting navy jacket, black trousers and white trainers (who was responsible for this fashion faux pas ? He looked like he had raided the dressing up box in the dark) seemed nervous and ill at ease throughout.

His “wife”, Manchild co-star Christine Kavanagh, took a while to get into her stride but acquitted herself with venomous dialogue aimed at delivering a knock-out punch to her insensitive and insincere estranged husband.

It might have done better as a period piece but this was supposed to be a contemporary comedy. Should early 1980s sitcoms make it back into fashion then Basket Case would do comfortably well but Toby’s demise was probably a metaphor for the whole production. I’d send it to the vets right away.

This is really only for fans of Mr Havers. Running on the Royal stage until Saturday. For tickets call the box office 01604 624811 or go online www.royalandderngate.co.uk

ANNE COX