Arts > Theatre

Betty Blue Eyes

Norwich Theatre Royal

24/01/24

The year is 1947 and, in post-war austerity Britain, food rationing is causing problems in an unspecified Northern town. The engagement of HRH Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip of Mountbatten has been announced to the nation, and the local council has announced a celebratory banquet. But where will they find enough fresh meat to feed 150 honoured guests?

'A Private Function', a satirical comedy written by Alan Bennett and Malcolm Mowbray, was first released as a movie to critical acclaim in 1984, and starred Michael Palin and Maggie Smith. Now, forty years later, Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society celebrate their own 99th year with their revival of 'Betty Blue Eyes', the 2011 stage adaptation with music by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drewe.

Filled with laughter, music, song, and dance, the show, which runs at Norwich Theatre Royal until January 27th, is an absolute delight from start to finish. Under the direction of Chris Cuming, Will Mugford leads the cast in encapsulating the spirit of Gilbert Chilvers, a peripatetic chiropodist yearning to open his own surgery on the town's high street. Meanwhile, Michelle Unstead is equally magnificent as Joyce, his supportive, but socially ambitious, partner. Together, they endure the cantankerous 'Mother Dear', portrayed sublimely by Tracy Milton.

And, of course, let us not forget Betty herself. The pig is, after all, the central character in this fast-moving caper of unlicensed meat rearing, and who is masterfully brought to life by puppeteer James Bell.

With a stage set that is frequently changing – the backdrop of the town's main street is efficiently transformed, becoming everything from the Chilvers' home to the town hall, and to the farm where Betty is being secretly reared (and where meat inspector Mr Wormold, played menacingly yet deliciously by Alex Green, has his suspicions aroused).

The entire cast of actors, singers and dancers combine to deliver a heart-warming blinder of a show, giving full flavour to terrific musical numbers like 'Fair Shares For All' and ‘Magic Fingers’, the chiropodist‘s paean. The dancing and the choreography are tip-top and their start-to-finish sense of fun and resolve is totally infectious, brought to life with authentic period costumes.

Who would have thought that a musical about austerity and middle-class snobbery could be so delightful, and hilarious? Go see. With a ten piece band led by musical director Matt Brown, as well as six on-stage musicians, you, too, will surely come home humming along to songs like ‘Fair Shares For All’, ‘Magic Fingers’ and ‘ Steal The Pig’. As they say, “These are rash times, and we need to think rasher”

Absolutely loved it. Well done to all concerned.