Christopher Gray enjoys slapstick fun of Georges Feydeau's Every Last Trick

The farces of Georges Feydeau are a periodic pleasure on the British stage, usually in a form somewhat removed from the original. Perhaps this is as well, for he was, as Noël Coward observed, “a very untidy playwright” whose work benefits from revision.

The treatment has been applied to wonderful comic effect under the Made in Northampton banner with his early (1892) success, Le Système Ribadier. It is offered, in a new version by Tamsin Oglesby, with input from all four members of the cast. That two of these are part of Spymonkey, who gave us the amazing classical romp Oedipussy at the same venue two years ago, and the direction is by Paul Hunter of pranksters Told By an Idiot, indicates what may be expected in terms of general highjinks. This is duly supplied.

Visual fun begins in the first seconds with Adrien Gygax’s boozy manservant Gus emerging into view through the seat of a tiny armchair. Then, as he plunders his master’s brandy, his obvious ecstacy in its consumption is reflected by a saxophonist popping up from beneath the bar to serenade his every sip.

Meeting his employers, we quickly discover that the word-mangling Spanish ambassador to Britain, Juan (Aitor Basauri), has a very jealous wife in Angela (Sophie Russell) — and that his conduct gives her good reason to be so.

Sticking (close-ish) to the plot of the original, the story finds Juan using his skills as a hypnotist (‘le système’) to practise deception on his sweetly sleeping missus. (Two years before George du Maurier’s Svengali, Feydeau was tapping into public interest in mesmerism.) Trouble is in store, however, when the secret of bringing Angela out of her trance is discovered by her admirer, Tom (Toby Park). He is a stiff-upper-lip British explorer, home from the east, with an attendant elephant, whose waving trunk is destined to play a part in the slapstick to follow.

There is cheery 1920s music — with the actors all on different instruments. There is magic. There is duelling. There is one of the funniest chases you could hope to see. A hit!

Every Last Trick
Royal & Derngate, Northampton
Until May 10
Tickets: 01604 624811 royalandderngate.co.uk