A Celebrity Chef
Ate My Hamster!
An Urban Love Story
by Nick Barnes
Music by Grant Olding
Lyrics by Nick Barnes and Grant
Olding
Starring
Cameron Blakely & Claire Massie
and introducing Jemima the
Hamster!
Meet Donna: sexy, sarcastic
and suddenly single
Meet Joe: sweet, simple and
serving kebabs
Meet Jemima the Hamster:
cute, cuddly and categorically deceased
Can this threesome make it through
lunch, never mind life.
Find out in this brand-new,
bite-sized musical comedy.
(Remember to bring indigestion
tablets.)
Directed by Clive Paget
26th March – 17th April 2003
Bridewell Theatre
What the
papers said:
This brand new, two-handed musical
love story, presented by the Lunchtime Theatre, has a book by Nick Barnes, who
co-wrote the lyrics with the Bridewell's current composer in residence Grant
Olding.
Its often surreal story concerns
Donna (Claire Massie), an unmarried city office worker approaching 30 who does
not have much luck with men - especially the one who had to go and change his
name to Kate. Kebab shop manager Joseph, played by Cameron Blakely, tries to
help but his weird theories about chilli sauce and its direct link with happiness
fall on deaf ears. In any case, one senses that he has his own agenda.
Massie is terrific throughout,
whether venting her increasing frustration via the witty lyrics and amusing,
off-beat parts of the script or joining with Blakely in the poignant, unexpected
ending to the piece which is expertly directed by that familiar Bridewell name,
Clive Paget. Nic le Breuilly is the pianist and musical director.
Librettist Barnes, who as an actor
created the role of Adrian Mole on BBC Radio 4, has come up with an enjoyable
first play, although it would be unfair to dwell for too long on that part of
the plot concerning a dead hamster, a saltshaker and the visiting pukka chef
Jamie Oliver. Suffice to say that a kebab lunch would probably not be on the
menu for members of the audience leaving following this bite-sized
entertainment.
John Martland. The Stage. 10 April
2003.
The latest offering in the
Bridewell's commendable Lunchbox Theatre series gets three Michelin stars for
its title, at least. It's a new 'bite-sized' musical comedy.
Fiona Mountford. Evening Standard,
Metrolife. 4-10 April 2003