Smelling a Rat - Grange Players

The Grange Players present the black comedy drama Smelling a Rat at the intimate venue of the Grange Playhouse. With a small cast of five they successfully commanded the audience’s attention with much amusement.

Rex Weasel, the owner of the Vermination Pest Control Company, returns home unexpectedly without his wife and enters his bedroom. When Rex hears intruders he reacts by hiding in one of his many wardrobes. It’s his employee Vic Maggott and his wife Charmaine who’ve stopped by to check on the apartment. They aren’t meant to be there though. To further complicate matters, Weasel’s sullen son, Rock and his ditsy girlfriend Melaine-Jane also unexpectedly turn up.

Charmaine, played by Liz Webster, shone in the comedic role with her mannerisms, timing, accents and facial expressions. Melaine-Jane, played by Rachel Holmes also relished a great comedic performance with superb pace to her delivery.
​
Vic, played by Rob Bissett, gave a confident character performance. Whilst Rock, played by Sam Evans, and Rex, played by David Weller both showed skilled abilities in timing their pauses and reactions.

There was natural chemistry between Bissett and Webster whilst Evans and Holmes contrasted each other well.

Written by Mike Leigh OBE the script has all the ingredients for a great dark comedy. The group did the play justice whilst also adding their own personal and comedic touches.

A lot of effort has obviously been made by those behind the scenes to create such a believable bedroom which works well throughout.

Smelling a Rat runs at The Grange Playhouse until 24 September.