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Published: 17 November, 2011
by PIP WROE

Ernest Huddlestone is overheard by two youngsters while declaring that he and his sister are stuck in a middle-aged rut that seems to have struck prematurely.

His friend James Isaacs, inspired by his recent reading of Saki’s short stories, proposes an Unrest Cure, suggesting Ernest may be suffering from over-repose and may be in need of a good jolt to shake him out of it.

While Ernest rejects the idea, the two eavesdropping young siblings, Charlie and Virginia, charitably decide to administer this Unrest Cure themselves.

The next day they arrive at Ernest and Cecelia Huddlestone’s quiet Sea View Hotel with news that the Prince of Wales is coming to stay.

The Unrest Cure is inspired by writers Simon Godziek and Rob Groves’ mutual admiration for the works of PG Wodehouse, and his influence courses through the play from first line to last.

The result is a light-hearted but engaging show, full of farce, fun and foppishness. At times the pace is slightly hindered by the writers’ ambitious but authentic recreation of Wodehouse’s language, but generally the actors navigate the challenging script successfully, delivering the groan-worthy puns to great effect.

The frazzled Ernest is played superbly by Math Sams, while the appearance of Steven Blake in the second half provides a highly rewarding comedic pay-off for the groundwork laid in the first half.

From the serious work of Saki and the witty inspiration of Wodehouse, the writers have produced a thoroughly satisfying and entertaining play.

until november 26
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