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We went along to see the world premier of Up The Duff, at York Theatre Royal last night.  Written by Lisa Evans and Directed by Damian Cruden, it turned out to be a very entertaining evening.  The writing was very good and there were a number of very funny moments played out spectacularly well by the cast who included Sarah Parks, Kali Peacock, Pippa Duffy, Colin Tarrant, Lucy Beaumont and Shelley Atkinson.  In between acts, they would burst into song, which at first takes you by surprise, but later on, becomes a nice addition to this humorous play.  The audience were mostly female and judging by the screams of laughter had clearly, a) had babies, or b) were expecting babies.  The play was clearly written with style and a lot of humour that would appeal to women who knew what is was like to have been pregnant, but thankfully it also catered for us blokes.

It was great throughout, but a couple of acts particularly stood out for the great acting or the priceless comedy.  The first was where Sarah Parks recounted with perfect poignancy, a very sad incident of still birth and the second was where Kali Peacock was caught short and in a priceless moment of comedy, had to use a bucket.  You have to see it, to understand, but along with the audience, we lapped it up.

Well worth going along to see in our view. Written by Lisa Evans, Directed by Damian Cruden, Designed by Helen Fownes Davies, Lighting design by Richard G Jones and Musical Direction by Christopher Madin.

Extract from York Theatre Royal Website

Five women, one man and a knitted uterus.

A hilariously funny and touching comedy of big expectations and very uncomfortable exercises.

Having a bun in the oven is no joke, so how come it’s so funny?

Midwife Sheila certainly knows all the joys, confusions and baffling indignities in store as she steers a group of four very different women safely through ante-natal class to labour and blissful motherhood. Happily unmarried teenager Jessica, with her cousin Janice’s bizarre birth superstitions always to hand, swaps life lessons with 40-year-old career woman and IVF patient Roshin, and old school friends Teresa and Kizzy. Meanwhile, Sheila’s well-meaning hubby Graham tries to sort out the world via DIY, causing more than one sticky moment and giving a man’s unique perspective on the whole crazy process.

Being “Up the Duff” isn’t all radiance and unmixed joy, and Lisa Evans provokes wry smiles as well as belly-laughs as Roshin asks:

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, what have we let ourselves in for?!”

Pryordurkin rating 4 stars.

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