Writer: Simon Nye
Director: Sean Foley
On paper The Crown Jewels should have success oozing out of every pore. It’s penned by Bafta-winning writer, Simon Nye, it features the cream of British comedy that includes; Al Murray, Mel Giedroyc, Neil Morrisey, and Joe Thomas. Finally, its subject matter is fascinating, a true story of a daring heist to steal the Crown Jewels. This should be a sure-fire smash hit, but alas it’s a dull affair, where the biggest crime is the waste of so much talent.
Directed by Sean Foley the action focuses on the events of May 9th 1671 and that of a daring raid on the Tower of London by Captain James Blood (Aidan McArdle) his son Tom Blood Jnr. (Joe Thomas), co-conspirator, Captain Perrot (Neil Morrisey) and the actress, Jenny Blaine (Tanvi Virmani). The group hatched a plan to break into and ransack the Tower of London stealing the Crown Jewels. The aim was to humiliate King Charles II (Al Murray) whom Captain Blood despised, as the king was planning a huge celebration to mark a decade on the throne.
Al Murray is in fine form in dual roles, first as the sleazy, womanising Charles II, as well as the brave, foul-mouthed guard of the Jewels, Talbot Edwards. Murray is a commanding stage presence who works hard to get the most out of a script that sadly doesn’t match his effort. The same can be said of Mel Giedroyc also in a dual role as French Nobleman/Mrs Edwards. The big laughs of the night came when the pair went off script with a spot of audience interaction, or attempting to get each other to break character.
Neil Morrisey is wasted in his role of the babbling Captain Perrot, who only really gets to shine with a few unscripted call-back jokes from information gathered from the audience earlier in the evening. Joe Thomas seemed underused and looked bored throughout, whilst Aidan McArdle, plays it relatively straight.
It’s not all doom and gloom, there are good comedic turns from Tanvi Virmani and Adonis Siddique, with the former getting the lion’s share of the better-scripted gags, and the latter playing an awkward, nervous Footman, riffing off Murray’s flight of fancy and ad-libs.
The production does provide a great showcase for musical theatre star Carrie Hope Fletcher, whose vocals are tremendous on the shoe-horned musical numbers that pepper the production. The songs aren’t great but her vocals are top draw.
Overall it’s such a disappointment to see a production that promised so much, fail to deliver, and whilst there are laughs to be had they aren’t as frequent or funny as they need to be.
Runs until 23 September 2023.
