Rita Sue and Bob Too! Review- The Epstein Theatre

Rita, Sue, and Bob Too! Details

Show: Rita, Sue, and Bob Too!

Location: Epstein Theatre, Liverpool

Date: Monday 13th February 2023

Time: 19.30

Running Time: 120 Minutes (Including Interval)

Age Rating: 18+

Performers: Michael Parr, Crissy Rock, Jamie Greer, Jessica Ellis, Jenna Sian O’Hara, & Kay Nicholson

Production Company: Regal Entertainments Ltd

Writer: Andrea Dunbar

Director: Chantelle Nolan

Image Source: Epstein Theatre

Intro

Returning to its original medium is the comedy story Rita, Sue, and Bob Too! by the very talented late Andrea Dunbar. The BBC commissioned Dunbar to write a follow up to her play The Arbor (1980), the result was Rita, Sue, and Bob Too! The has also been a movie adaptation of the two plays Rita, Sue, and Bob Too! released in 1987. Ensuring Dunbar’s work will be shared for decades to come!

Story of Rita Sue and Bob Too!

The story, set in the 1970s, follows two teenagers, Rita and Sue, who are in their last year of high school. To earn themselves some money they have begun babysitting for married couple Bob and Michelle. However unknown to Michelle is that one night when dropping the girls off, Bob initiates an ongoing affair between the three of them. When Michelle does find out she leaves Bob taking their children. Yet conflicts between the girls arise when Bob is shown to have a preference for Rita.

Analysis of Rita Sue and Bob Too!

The cast was utterly phenomenal from start to finish providing a sea of laughter from the entire audience at least once per scene! The dark comedy film focuses on some sensitive subjects including statutory rape, and some more elements of the time such as domestic abuse being phrased as acceptable by the characters yet manages to do it well, Bob is never made out to be a good guy, neither is the abusive father.

The creative team for the show are also majority woman which is evident in how the performance handled featuring such sensitive subjects prominently within the story. With the late Andrea Dunbar writing the play back in 1981, talented Chantelle Nolan directing and producing the performance, with fellow Producer Jane Joseph and Deputy Stage Manager Heather Fox (who has worked recently on the Netflix adaptation of Neil Gaimon’s Sandman).

The breakout comedic performer for me has to Kay Nicholson as Rita, her facial twitches and body humour had me and my entire row giggling throughout. Kay picked her moments, her character’s tendencies could easily have been annoying, yet she plays the part perfectly. Her chemistry with both Sue and Bob can’t be ignored either! I really hope I see Kay and Jenna (Sue) play off each other again soon, they really seemed to bring the best out of each other.

Rest of the Cast

Michael Parr is once again playing the “bad boy” although in this film that term is putting it extremely lightly. Bob is an arrogant, self-absorbed, menacing man, he plays the girls of each other which ultimately leads in their drifting apart. He blames his wife for his “playing away”, to her face! Yet you can’t help but laugh at him. Michael Parr plays the character so well, allowing the comedy to come from how Bob acts and his “alpha male” behavior such as posing which is always played for laughs rather than diminishing his actions, or his crimes.  Don’t worry Bob doesn’t get away scott-free as Benidorm star Chrissy Rock, playing Mother, slaps him across the face in one of the most memorable moments of the whole show.

Jessica Ellis comes to this performance after recently filming for The Bay, which is actually filmed at titular Morecambe Bay, a stone’s throw from when I grew up, small world. Her over-the-top body comedy was actually a delight, at first I was worried it would be a bit too much. Yet I was soon laughing my ass off while she adjusted her dress and cleavage, what seemed like, every time she delivered dialogue until the final act of the play. Her stunt revolving around the Marlboro ham sandwich still has me giggling to myself just thinking about it.  

The Great Chrissy Rock

Chrissy Rock as the Mother was on top of her comedic game, it is clear to see why she is the Liverpudlian Queen of comedy and how she continued to sell out 10 shows a week in Benidorm. The single scene revolving around her character struggling to balance on a chair, when stealing Michelle’s drink had me in stitches! Her drunk performance was outstanding, it is clear to see this talented comedian, and actress is still in her prime!

Set Design

The set design was amazing! The fluidity and the speed the scene transitions took place were astonishing, they really allowed you to stay glued into the action. The smart music choice for these brief intervals were perfect for each transition setting you up perfect for the tone/mood of the next scene. The car was fantastically constructed and looked better than most set pieces I’ve ever witnessed. The props and the sets can be help punctuate the story or harm it, in this case the set design was on point and the prop department really went all out!

The dark subject matter can be a bit off putting at first, with the first scene being especially cringy whilst we watch Bob trying to sleaze his way into both Sue, and Rita. However, the comedy will outweigh any feeling of cringe left from the opening, your simply not left enough time between laughing your ass off to think about the implications of the dynamic between the three too much.

Summary of Rita Sue and Bob Too!

Rita, Sue, and Bob Too! is a dark comedy performed by a phenomenal comedic cast that will have you laughing your ass off from start to finish! If you can handle the subject matter, it is definitely worth a watch!

Overall Rating: 10 – Masterpiece!

Rita, Sue, and Bob Too! Further Links

The show is running until Sunday 19th February, purchase your tickets for the show here!