A fun and entertaining ride

Harvey, Exeter Northcott, Tuesday 2nd to Saturday 6th February

By Gervaise Cerio

Having met with the two directors of Exeter University Theatre Company’s production of the Mary Chase classic Harvey, on our Thursday morning breakfast show, I was really looking forward to the show.

I would consider this a very personal response, as I don’t feel qualified to necessarily give a professional overview of this production - journalistic writings not being my forte.

Anyhow, if any of you were there, I am sure you would agree with me that the general ambience created in the bar and in the auditorium itself prior to the start of the show was very exciting, uplifting and you were immediately taken back to the American fifties (as I imagine them to have been).

The dazzling outfits worn by the chorus line and their impeccable American accents were the first delight of the evening. There was a real sense of anticipation and general raucousness - if that’s a word!

The live dancing, music and singing was fantastic, adding a real vibrancy and sense of fun. They performed before, during and after the production. Free popcorn during the interval definitely a bonus!

The set was believable and tangible - simple, not ostentatious. The few scene changes were executed very seamlessly.

As soon as the curtain lifted, I knew we were in for a fun and entertaining ride.  The characters were instantly people you could identify with, including the enigmatic white rabbit, Harvey. He never entirely appeared, but the lighting and the opening of the door at the very end of the show, made his presence quite undeniable!

Well done to all of you involved and I hope to be able to catch up with you to give a post-show interview on Phonic FM soon.