Written by Hollie for Theatre and Tonic

Disclaimer: Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review. All views are our own

This production includes: dated language, behaviours and attitudes.

Land ahoy! This light-hearted comedic show By Falkland Cary and Philip King which originally opened in the West End in 1955, has been brought to The Little Theatre in Leicester this Spring by Director Russell Hughes and his crew of sailors and landlubbers.

Set in the 1950s, this production is a reflection of society and family life in the years immediately after the war. The story follows the Hornett family which consists of daughter Shirley, father Henry and mother Emma. The audience joins the family as the doorbell rings, and the arrival of the wedding cake for the following day starts a series of events where one calamity happens after another.

The collection of sailors and housewives is gradually introduced, and repeated jokes and light humour bring titters to the audience members as the family prepares for the wedding.

“Ello ello ello” says the Bridegroom Albert Tufnell, played by Thomas Bates, as he returns home with his crewmate Carnoustie from being aboard their ship. Ready to marry Bride Shirley, played by Maddox McNicholl, Albert is not as ready to meet and reacquaint himself with his mother-in-law to be, Mrs Hornett, played by Rachel Draper.

Both Thomas and Rachel have worked hard in rehearsals to form an authentic and believable love-hate relationship on stage, and both actors offer moments where you want to squirm as well as laugh out loud as there are many relatable moments when it comes to family relationships.

Thomas also works incredibly well with Joey Perez-Jones, who plays his shipmate Carnoustie Bligh. The duo are able to bounce off each other comically and add the themes of camaraderie and friendship to this play from much simpler times.

As Carnoustie is introduced to each new family member, he is seen as very much an outsider, and many of the jokes relate to him. At times, the show does show its age due to the simple jokes and how often they are repeated but that can also be seen as part of the charm in a show such as this.

This particular production is quite different from some of the shows that The Little Theatre has provided recently. The whole production didn’t feel overly rehearsed and at times a little awkward. As an audience member, I wasn’t quite sure whether that was an intentional choice, so I have given this particular production three stars.

The three separate acts of the show take place in the living room of the Hornett’s house, which has been expertly and beautifully created by Set Designer and Production Manager Anna Field and her team. The attention to detail in the furniture and artwork in the house, in particular, makes the audience feel as if they are sitting in the living room with the family.

Sailor Beware! continues at Leicester’s Little Theatre until Saturday 18th April 2026. Other productions that are coming to The Little Theatre in the next few weeks include: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from 21st April 2026, Sense and Sensibility from 4th May and Shrek the Musical from 19th May 2026.

★★★

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