A fun play that on a deeper level leaves you questioning social differences.
[Ad-gifted] The John Godber Company returns to the New Vic with Perfect Pitch, a new production of Godber’s classic comedy set on a Yorkshire campsite. Danielle Booker reviews.
The Beautiful South’s Caravan of Love signals the start – and also the theme – of Perfect Pitch, and the stage is set as a clifftop campsite in Bridlington, Yorkshire. The play centres on a middle class couple in their luxury caravan who find their ‘perfect pitch’ disturbed by a younger, louder couple in their cheap pop-up tent.
Head teacher Matt, played by Frazer Hammill, borrows his parent’s brand-new caravan for a week on the Yorkshire coast with partner Rose, played by Annie Kirkman. Both virgin caravanners, the holiday is a trial run to see if the pair should use some of Matt’s redundancy money on buying their own. The pair are expecting a restful break.
Fellow campers Grant, played by Tom Gallagher, and Steph, played by newcomer Laura Jennifer Banks, shatter their illusions by pitching their tent next door to Matt and Rose’s caravan. The fact that the seaside town is hosting a tribute act festival over the weekend also suggests their hopes of a quite break are unrealistic!
Frazer Hammill is great as Matt, an emotionally drained former head of an academy who has taken early retirement from the stressors of his career in the education system and is craving peace and relaxation. Godber’s observational comedy, and Hammil’s acting, perfectly highlight the struggles of middle age, feeling too old for the craziness of youth, but too young to slow down and have his ‘slippers under the awning’ as Matt describes it.
A&E doctor Rose has been on a health kick, 10-months without any alcohol and an obsession with running, she is looking forward to solitary coastal runs as she prepares for next year’s marathon. I was lucky enough to catch Annie Kirkman at the New Vic back in March as she starred in the hilarious comedy Ladies Down Under. Tonight’s performance was equally excellent, with her eyerolls and meaningful looks as funny as her quick one-liners.
‘Grant the grunt’ as Matt refers to him is played by Tom Gallagher, who richly brings to life all of the character’s loutish behaviour. He also manages to highlight Grant’s comical side, especially his rendition of Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
And making her debut in her first professional role, Laura Jennifer Banks is brilliant in her portrayal of the young, fierce, and troubled Steph. While Matt is dealing with life as a man in his 40s, Steph at the other end of the spectrum is coping with the confusions of being a young woman in her 20s. The talented Laura Jennfier Banks is wonderful and often steals the show as her character challenges the others, forcing them to rethink their lives.
John Godber’s Perfect Pitch is a hilarious, sometimes uncomfortable, study of modern life, class, relationships, and the different stages of life set in the hotbed that is a Yorkshire campsite. A perfect play for a fun night, that on a deeper level leaves you questioning society!
Cast
Laura Jennifer Banks Steph
Tom Gallagher Grant
Frazer Hammill Matt
Annie Kirkman Rose
Creative Team
Writer and Director John Godber
Company Stage Manager Sarah Colclough-Follon
Lighting, Set, and Production Design Graham Kirk
Photography Ian Hodgson
Producer Elizabeth Godber
Makeup Design Siobhan Ashton
Marketing Martha Godber
Poster Annoymous Design
John Godber Company Jane Thornton and Aleesha Neill
How much are the tickets for Perfect Pitch?
Tickets are on sale now, priced from £10 to £31.50. Age Guidance 14+ (This performance contains haze, strong language and sexual references).
How do I book tickets to watch Perfect Pitch?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962 or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
Perfect Pitch will be running until Saturday, 2 November 2024 with evening shows at 7.30pm and Matinee at 2.15pm (on 31/10 and 02/11).
Where is New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG
The theatre has a large car park, with a £2.20 charge on show days. Only contactless card payment is currently accepted for parking charges.
The theatre café is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday – then from 5.30pm for pre-show meals.
Booking is required for pre-show meals 5.30pm onwards, via their booking system at this link.
About The New Vic Theatre
Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.
About John Godber Company
The John Godber Company was established in 2011 with the purpose of allowing the playwright John Godber to continue expressing himself through the dramatic form. After having seen how the board of a theatre can destabilise a company John and his playwright/director/actor wife, Jane, decided to create their own company in order to keep control of their work.
As Artistic Director Godber had steered Hull Truck from bankruptcy in 1984 to the West End, an international reputation and finally a purpose built £15million theatre which he helped design and raise the money for, which opened in 2010. Shortly after the new theatre had opened the then Artistic Director, Gareth Tudor Price, was made redundant, and Godber, in a gesture of support to his long time friend and artistic colleague, left Hull Truck, after a relationship of twenty six years.
The John Godber Company, which has a base in East Yorkshire has a number of production outlet opportunities; often producing national tours out of Theatre Royal Wakefield, and partner-productions at Hull New Theatre and East Riding Theatre amongst others. The John Godber Company believes in putting the artist at the centre of the theatrical creative process.
Review by: Danielle Booker
You may also want to read this:
Win a family ticket worth £100 to The Three Musketeers at New Vic
Review: Show and Tell at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme
Review: Charles Dickens’ The Haunting by Hugh Janes at New Vic Theatre
Photo Credit: New Vic Theatre/Ian Hodgson
* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.
20 comments
Perfect Pitch sounds like a great play. I love the mix of comedy and drama. That’s how real life tends to be!
Exactly, so the play was totally relatable as well
This sounds like a wonderful play! I love the idea of being able to watch the humor and awkward situations of this story right there on stage. I’ve seen movies with similar premises, but you can’t beat live theater.
Agree, sometimes plays like this makes live entertainment worth while
This sounds so amazing! I love the idea of a tired, sort of crotchety retiree dealing with the shenanigans of the younger crowd that descends upon the campsite.
It was so funny and the cast was so professional and talented as well
This sounds like a fun show to see with both the comedy and drama. Looks very interesting!
Yes super interesting for sure Heather
Omg! I want to watch this show. Sounds like this is a fun and exciting show.
I had such a good evening, a great night out with girl-friends or as a date-night plan
I have not heard of Perfect Pitch before but sounds like a fun show to see and something you could imagine happening at a campsite
Yes an entertaining play and one worth watching
This is so so cool. I would love to watch Perfect Pitch, it sounds such a good show to see in person.
Hope you can watch the show as they may be touring again
I have heard of pitch perfect the TV show I think! It sounds like it adapted well to the stage.
Yes they did a great job and it was very entertaining as well
The Perfect Pitch sounds like a wonderful play to me. Thanks for introducing it!
You are welcome Hari, a show worth watching in person
Your insights into the themes and overall vibe make me want to experience it for myself! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Thank you, it was a wonderful evening to watch such talented actors in the show