Having only seen Tartan Tabletop in their usual DnD, improv-based Fringe show, it was exciting sitting down in the Georgian House in Edinburgh to see what they could whip up when they went in the direction of the scripted, more rehearsed work. Mr & Mrs Beard is on at The Georgian House (National Trust For Scotland) until Sunday 29th February.
This original historical comedy follows Francis and Gina, two friends who marry to hide their homosexuality amidst the high society of 18th century Edinburgh, giving full reign to their proclivities. While Gina narrowly escapes getting caught with a minister’s wife, Francis has plans to seduce his Italian guest, Signor Orsini. Meanwhile, the servants – and Francis’s mother – have schemes and shenanigans of their own which threaten to destroy the reputation of the house of Beard.
Kennedy Thomson plays Mr Francis Beard. Kennedy soaks his performance in farce and fun as he throws his Mr Beard across the stage. Using flawless physicality and a joyful vocal range and intonation that keep the ears perked up, he makes sure his time on stage is memorable and hilarious.
Jade Hutchison plays Mrs Georgina Beard. Hutchison’s portrayal is one that is more subdued than her cohorts but still brings many laughs. Her character is there to be unsure of her position in life yet also find purpose amongst all the craziness. Hutchinson does a great job in extracting as much empathy as one can such a delightfully unserious piece of work.
Niall Curran is Roger Sinclair. His performance is loud and fantastical while also feeling realistic and down to earth in comparison to his contemporaries. Curran brings in an all too familiar distain for the ultra-wealthy and one can’t help but root for him in all his conniving glee, testament to Curran’s ability to balance light and dark.
Lauren McColgan plays Nancy Fitzgibbons, the servant to Mrs Georgina Beard. She is the audience’s inlet into this crazy world. Nancy feels detached and far from everyone else in the story in terms of scope and yet McColgan completely holds her own.
Ruth Canal (Lewis Gemmell) is Lady Marjorie Beard. Canal was a delightful casting here, bringing showlassieship to the piece, stealing every scene she flounces into. With a cavernous projection and comedic timing of only the most experienced, Canal binds everything together.
Jimmy Kavanagh plays Salvatore Orsini. Kavanagh brings a slimy, likeable weirdness to Orsini that only he can. The audience is made to wait for his arrival, but boy, is it worth it. Kavanagh’s Orsini is a delight, and the audience are left wishing they had more of him.
The team does an excellent job bringing this production together. Writer Benjamin Rome Clarke has written a farce for the ages. Interweaving queer love, longing and family trauma to make a perfect hour-long piece of hysterical joy. Director Alex Bathe excellently utilises his actors in each of their strengths while taking advantage of the magnificent space they have at their disposal. Producer and Stage Manager Josh Aitken decorates the set with lovely additions while making sure the gorgeous Georgian home plays a pivotal role. Costumier Felicity Anderson-Moore has crafted some incredible pieces by hand to decorate each performer, every entrance made taking the breath away more than the last.
Overall, this production is a fantastically written, beautifully set, and wonderfully crafted piece of theatre, showing a mastery of the genre of farce, one that I think is far too uncommon in theatre spaces currently, and one that is definitely in safe hands for the future.
Tickets are no longer available as this run is sold out.
Theatre Scotland 
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