Set against the backdrop of a crumbling French château, David Shireff blends comedy and drama in Château Farci. Providing an intimate insight into toxic family dynamics and the absurdities of human relationships, humour takes the front seat in a play that is part farce, part drama and part whodunnit, writes Jake Millicheap.
The story centres around Alice, owner of the Château, and her partner Jake, a retired soldier who has taken up residence in the château’s loft, or what he refers to as ‘the bunker’. Confiding in Jake’s former friend and fellow retired soldier, Monty, Alice makes it clear that her relationship with Jake has deteriorated. Disgusted by Jake’s tendency to ‘stew in his juices’ in the bunker, she is determined to have him move out of the château so she can live alone in what is rightfully hers. The introduction of Roger and Felicity, Jake’s son and daughter, and Bertrand, local policeman, sets in motion a sea of conflicting motives, resulting in a play full of ridiculous comedic twists and turns.
Amanda Holt as Alice does a fantastic job of portraying the tensions in a relationship that is falling apart, her disdain and sheer disgust towards her partner palpable. Playing Jake, Gregory Cox takes on the comic role of a grumbling old man oozing with nostalgia for the battlefield, expertly encapsulating the declining mental health of the former soldier. It is this preoccupation with war that later leads Jake to volunteer as a NATO soldier against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, desperate to have one final go on the frontline.
This type of ridiculousness runs through the heart of the play, carried by the actors’ comedic performances. Nirjay Mahindru is particularly hilarious as Bertrand, his role as local gendarme and womaniser causing hysterics throughout the night. Both Mahindru and Natasha Percival, playing Jake’s maid, use over the top French accents to lean into their caricatured roles, their characters overemphasised in typical farce fashion.
Three original songs are performed by the cast, providing light relief from the fast pace of the play. Despite being well-written, I wasn’t entirely convinced that these were needed, adding little context to the scenes and lacking in humour compared to the dialogue.
Overall, however, I thoroughly enjoyed Château Farci and was impressed by the strong performances of the cast. Whilst in many ways a traditional farce, David Shireff’s humorous treatment of contemporary events makes for a refreshing take on the genre and a genuinely fun and engaging evening of theatre.
White Bear, Kennington, 138 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4DJ until Saturday 15th March (7.30pm), Saturday matinees (2.30pm). Running time 90min plus 15min interval.
Tickets: £17/£13 (concessions) available online HERE
