When you come to see a play about a true story that’s written by Simon Nye and stars The Pub Landlord, two sitcom legends and half of a comedy duo, you would be very wise to wonder how much truth will be attached to this tale, writes Michael Holland.
The Crown Jewels opens with the Lady of the Bedchamber(Carrie Hope Fletcher) emptying the king’s pisspot over the front row, which was hilarious for me back in Row J.
We learn early on that when Charles II(Al Murray) was restored to the throne after his father was beheaded by Cromwell’s fun-hating Roundheads, his crown jewels were kept in a cupboard in the Tower of London and guarded by Mr and Mrs Edwards(Mel Giedroyc) who liked to show them off to visitors. Well, when the previous administration banned ‘bawdy culture’, dancing around the maypole and mince pies, The Edwardses needed a bit of excitement in their dull lives.
Colonel Blood (Aidan McArdle) is fuming at the English for invading and robbing Ireland of its riches so wants to avenge his homeland by stealing the crown jewels disguised as a priest, with an actress accomplice masquerading as his wife(Jenny Blaine). He had recruited his son (Joe Thomas) and another hater of the English, Captain Perrot (Neil Morrissey). And this is when the truth became less believable. Even more so when you discover they got away with it – although not for long.
With all this comedy talent involved the seriousness of this historic event had to be turned into a slapstick-laced farce, so, of course, The Crown Jewels was like an extended sitcom with a glut of Carry On-style jokes, a great visual gag with the attempted escape followed on a map, and an influx of innuendo. Plus, Al Murray, showing off a finely turned ankle as King Charles II, and being able to shoehorn in a few Pub Landlordesque routines, goading and employing the audience for his own ends.
But while the laughs come thick and fast there are a lot of fascinating facts and history also provided.
The best turn of the evening was Tanvi Virmani as Jenny Blaine (and the Jailer), but The Crown Jewels will not be bothering any awards panels this year. It will, though, furnish theatre-goers with an evening’s entertainment, which is exactly what we go to the theatre for.
Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road, Charing Cross, London, WC2H 0HH until September 16th.
Booking: www.nimaxtheatres.com – 0330 333 4811
