The Ladykillers

Synopsis

The Ladykillers tells the story of the eccentric little old lady Mrs Wilberforce who lives alone with her parrots in a strange lopsided house in King’s Cross. Her life is turned upside down by the arrival of Professor Marcus and his four friends, who between them make up the most unlikely group of criminals. Planning the heist of a security van, they decide to use Mrs Wilberforce as cover and involve her unwittingly in the plot. Things do not go well and the Professor’s plan starts to unravel in spectacular and hilarious fashion.

Our Review:

Karen Bussell - 15 October 2012

What fun.

Graham Linehan (Father Ted, IT Crowd, Black Books)'s excellent rehash of the iconic Ealing black comedy The Ladykillers is on tour and is a gentle, slapstick, laugh-out-loud evening for all.

Amongst a most capable cast, Michele Dotrice (Betty in Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em) steals the show as the sweet old lady Mrs Wilberforce whose lodger is not quite as he seems.

Faultless in character with superb nuances, Dotrice's lopsided lady is dottily moral and a bane to the local police force.

Her rickety house is a work of art designed by Michael Taylor whose set was rightly nominated for an Olivier Award - it is skewed, quirky and superbly mobile when the trains leaving the neighbouring Kings Cross station whizz past.

The complexly interesting house has clever flying flaps to switch the action to outside to allow rooftop confrontations, the heist itself (played with Scaletrix-type vehicles) and the ever-present rail...

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Latest User Review

JR - 20 October 2012:

First half is absolute genius, perfectly poised and comic timing no issue. Second half is less good and is a bit convoluted, but acting excellent throughout....

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