Ronnie & Clive by Righton Productions Review
Written by Kirsty for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
What do you get if you combine the anarchic wit of The League of Gentlemen, the comic timing and chemistry of Pete and Dud, and a dash of Inspector Morse? You get Ronnie and Clive: A Northern Comedy, written and performed by Thomas Carruthers and William Leggetter.
We meet Clive Nichols as he discovers that his father has died unexpectedly and shockingly on the Moors, and his married lover has also dumped him. He meets Ronnie Sinclair, who has his own crosses to bear, including working out what to do with his dead mother’s husband and his deep need and obsession with the fine art of Koi Carp. What follows is even more death, devastation and descent into madness.
Carruthers and Leggetter are truly hilarious throughout, seamlessly playing multiple roles to tell the story, and each character has a clear and distinct voice and personality. Both actors play off each other with laser accuracy, and it is clear they have amazing chemistry and know each other so well. The polished and hilarious script creates a macabre and darkly funny world with many layers of comedy.
The piece has nowhere to hide as there is virtually no set, merely a few key props; however, this truly allows Carruthers and Leggetter to shine, and they held the audience in the palm of their hands throughout the show.
I really hope to see more from this duo and that this is not the last we see of this dark comedy. I can’t wait to see what comes next from Carruthers and Leggetter.
★★★★
