REVIEWER: Amanda Wilson

The Peninsula Theatre Company are celebrating their 21st birthday with a trilogy of Australian plays. The first, “Boys’ Night In” by Mona Vale playwright Richard Womack, premiered last night at the Narrabeen Community Theatre.

I thoroughly enjoyed a night of good clean fun. This is an entertainment experience far superior to the canned jokes of the goggle box. No laughter track was necessary to encourage this audience to react and participate in the merriment on stage.

Kane Wylie as Clive delivered a controlled performance of a victim of a yet undiscovered crime, and his desperate attempts to discover who is framing him. His dry wit and convoluted solutions to the constant threats are the bases of the action.

He is aided and frustrated by David Richards as Bruce, a brilliantly understated gay man with a mischievous sense of fun and misplaced self importance.

The threat of exposure comes from Adam Cleland who, as Tom and the bosses son, convincingly navigates a delicate character journey from uncertain adolescence to confident manhood as he is manipulated by the girls.

From her first appearance, Natalie Taylor ( Konchinita ) exudes fun and sex appeal and a horribly infectious laugh. She then progresses into many different characters ( I recall at least six ) each instantly established and greatly appreciated.

The bedroom scenes, with their gloriously inventive humour, will haunt my memory for months.

Tiffany Chaisson ( Precious ) has to overcome a major age difference, but she portrays the mannerisms and humour of her character with such confidence that one quickly accepts her as an integral part of the frenetic fantasy that are the events unravelling on stage.

Larraine McCaffrey as Mrs Griff ( who would dare give her a first name ! ) dominates as soon as she appears. To her are due the unlikely explanations of the bizarre events and situations she inconveniently exposes. Hers is the energy and emotion that carries the final scenes and the ultimate denouement.

Richard Womack, who takes his humour seriously, marked his script last night with over 100 instances of audience laughter. His play ruthlessly uses all levels of humour, from situation comedy, through a multitude of witty one liners, to occasional explosions a pure slapstick.

This is high quality amateur theatre and recommended fun family viewing. The limited season continues for this week and next. See also www.peninsulatheatre.com.au for details of this and coming shows.