REVIEW: The Ladykillers at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick

It’s got everything: desperate criminals, knives, guns, cross-dressing majors, speeding trains, a bald parrot and a sweet old lady.

It’s also fast, fun and often farcical.

The play is set in Mrs Wilberforce’s lopsided little London house which she shares with General Gordon, her beloved parrot.

She takes in a lodger, Professor Marcus, who claims to be a classical musician, and is delighted to hear his string quintet would like to practise in her home.

The clever two-level stage means that as we see Mrs Wilberforce busying herself making tea downstairs, the ‘musicians’ turn out to be criminals and are upstairs plotting a dramatic heist.

Released in 1955, the classic film has entertained generations over the decades. It has been transformed by Graham Linehan, co-creator of Father Ted and Black Books.

The story is much the same – sweet old lady foils bunch of crooks – but cleverly adapted and added to for the theatre.

The set works really well, with lots of action in quite a small space, and is complemented by some great effects – including the speeding trains.

Rachel Laurence is great as sweet old Mrs Wilberforce, whose day is punctuated by making rounds of tea.

The motley selection of criminals keep us all amused, from Harry (Luke Murphy) and his fixation with cleaning to the cross-dressing major (Patrick Driver).

But a special mention must go to Eric Potts as One-Round. He is brilliant as the dopey dimwit, who turns out to be more canny than we think.

All in all, a great night’s entertainment.

The Ladykillers by Graham Linehan is on at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick until October 30.

For tickets visit

or call 017687 74411.