one4review | On 19, Aug 2023

Carry on is a British Comedy franchise that was produced by Peter Rogers. There were 31 films in total. They are known for their saucy seaside humour, double entendre and cheeky sexual innuendo.

This is a one-man play where Darren Haywood plays producer Peter Rogers and voices an array of actors that featured in the Carry On films. The regular core ensemble cast that included Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques and Barbara Windsor had very distinctive voices and Darren Haywood had these off perfectly throughout the performance.

The play is set in Rogers office that has Carry On film posters all over the walls. It’s 1979, one year since he made his 30th film Carry on Emmanuel. This film featured a change in style, becoming more openly sexual and explicit. Haywood provides a wonderful performance of how Rogers faces the challenges of the changing times as Alternative comedy becomes more popular and his films are viewed as old fashioned, sexist and racist. Hayward provides a great insight of Rogers strong belief in his films, where in 1992, he eventually gets his 31st film Carry on Columbus released. He does a fantastic portrayal of the Carry On characters, especially the Kenneth Williams and the cheeky cockney Barbara Windsor.

The play also touches on Rogers personal life. Hayward delivers a sensitive Rogers as he talks about his wife Betty Box who he was married to for many years and sadly died of cancer in 1999.

There is a real passion in Darren Haywoods portrayal of these fabulous characters. This is a great play about ageing, the human spirit and changing attitudes and of course a wonderful affectionate tribute to the Carry On films, one of the most successful film franchises in British History. This well researched play is written by James Nicholas. It was a full house at my performance and got a great reaction from the audience. An absolute treat for Carry On film fans.

****
Reviewed by Lynn
Blue Orange Arts

theSpace @ Surgeons Hall (HaldaneTheatre)

Aug 18th- 23rd (except 20th)
Also in theSpace on the Mile Soace 2 at 11.00 24, 25 & 26 Aug