Doctor in the House

Synopsis

Ted Willis's play follows the inexperienced young medical student Simon Sparrow, as he begins his five-year internship at St Swithin's Teaching Hospital where he continually runs foul of the irritable head surgeon, Sir Lancelot Sprat. His social life is spiced up when Sparrow is taken under the wings of two student repeaters - Tony Grimsdyke and John Evans, who've flunked their prelims and are seeking a second chance. The humour is very similar to that of the famous 'Carry On' films and as such has delighted audiences all over the world.

Our Review:

Karem Bussell - 29 May 2012

Oh dear.

Despite a willing and likeable cast desperate to breathe new life into the 50s comedy, the Jamie Wilson for Doctor In The House Associates Ltd and Lee Menzies production of the 50s comedy is perhaps best left as not for resuscitation.

Olivier award-winner Paul Farnsworth (Passion, Lend Me A Tenor) creates a student flat oozing with 50s detail (except weren’t TV aerials H-shaped?) and the mood music slips around the 40s – 60s but is generally thereabouts but the mercifully short Doctor In The House is also dated and that is not a good thing.

Jungle favourite stand-up turned actor Joe Pasquale (The Producers, the Wizard of Oz) is perennial student doctor Grimsdyke slipping in and out of character to explain himself and the play, and to add asides and ad libs in a pantomimic attempt to engage the sparse audience.

Big hitter Robert Powell, who needs no introduction, is an able Sir Lancelot but one just can’t help comparing h...

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