As is often the case with offerings from the highly accomplished John Godber Company the plot of ‘Perfect Pitch’ is simple. Frazer Hammill plays Matt, a head teacher who retired early, exhausted at the pressures of the education system. Annie Kirkham plays his partner Rose, an NHS doctor working in an A&E department. The couple were always too busy to have children and have borrowed Matt’s father’s new caravan to take a quiet weekend break on the Yorkshire Coast and escape the stress.
There are some big laughs as Matt grapples with camp site routines, with Rose pointing out a number of times “he’s not good with his hands”. All seems pretty good as they sit back and enjoy the view until they spot some unwelcome neighbours, Grant (Tom Gallagher) and Steph (Laura Jennifer Banks), not quite the sort of people they would choose to mix with.
Matt and Rose deploy their middle class people skills to keep an uneasy peace leading to Rose and Steph sharing a night out, initially taking Rose way out of her comfort zone yet with a surprising outcome.
The second half moves up a gear and tensions start to surface, between both the two couples and Matt and Rose, bringing proceedings to a fever pitch (excuse the pun) ending.
The simple set allows the action to flow and punctuating with music really works. A big shout out goes to Frazer Hammill for his brilliant portrayal of Matt.
A great evening out that is accessible to all with some big laughs guaranteed.
Tony Bates
At the Stephen Joseph Theatre until Saturday 16th November
