Reviews

When you see a former member of Neighbours in the cast list the word pantomime springs to mind. But what you get with the Eastern Angles' latest production is far from that. Amusing, yes, but equally full of very real characters...

It tells the story of the discovery of the Sutton Hoo treasure in 1939 - and the subsequent battle with the British Museum over where it would be displayed. Ivan Cutting has adapted the original Sutton Hoo Mob (written for the Eastern Angles by Peppy Barlow in the early 1990s) shifting the focus slightly onto Mrs Pretty, whose land the treasure was found on. The play though is not just about finding treasure. It is, as Ivan Cutting tells us in the programme, 'about people and how they manage to work together.' 

For the Neighbours fans among you, the former resident of Ramsay Street is Lisa Armytage. Unrecognisable from her role in the Aussie soap as Dr Beverly Marshall she’s great as Mrs Pretty whose story, and the way she deals with her husband’s death in particular, come shining through. But it’s Basil Brown who really steals the show. I've seen plenty of attempts at the Suffolk accent and they very rarely hit the spot – but Patrick Knox (recently seen in A Dulditch Angel) plays Basil brilliantly. His accent, mannerisms and quiet determination are as good as I’ve ever seen and anyone that’s spent time in rural Suffolk has probably met a Basil or two. It’s a joy to see him go head-to-head – in his own inimitable style - with the British Museum.

Roger Butcher and Patrick Knox

The minimalist set (allowing them to set-up shop in venues around the region) and cast of four work together so well that you never feel shortchanged by the simplicity. Roger Butcher and Greg Wagland play the remaining four characters between them, and both portray complicated relationships very well.

My only real criticism of the performance was the occasional snatches of song which punctuate the play. They’re a traditional feature of Eastern Angles productions, but on this occasion I felt they were more distracting than enhancing.

The Sutton Hoo Mob runs at various venues in Suffolk and Norfolk until the 20th May, with the final few performances at Sutton Hoo itself. It’s well worth catching at a village hall near you! Use the Eastern Angles link on the right hand side of this page for ticket and venue details>>>