The Prisoner of Second Avenue - Club Theatre (From Northwich Guardian)

The Prisoner of Second Avenue - Club Theatre

9:49am Monday 23rd January 2012 in Theatre & arts By Rick Bowen

I TOOK an overdose on Sunday night - an overdose of middle aged angst.

The major problem I have with The Prisoner of Second Avenue is that we, the audience, are forced to spend far too much time in the doldrums with the down on his luck, white collar Joe, Mel.

He’s a study in self pity and when one of his long suffering neighbours finally looses her temper with him, you feel like giving her a giant pat on the back.

Currently playing at the Club Theatre, this play does contain flashes of Neil Simon’s comic brilliance, it is more about the way American society treats men of a certain age, men who are perceived to be past their sell by date.

The play’s weaknesses are compensated by fine performances from John Still (Mel), a really good grouch, Janet Reidsma as his loyal wife Edna and Bob Homer as Mel’s brother, Harry, who still harbours a grudge for having his own childhood ignored by their parents. It seems Mel got all the attention.

While this isn’t a bad play I did expect more from a writer who has given us so much theatre to treasure. John Still is an actor to watch and, on the strength of this performance, other societies are sure to be clamouring for his services.

* Until January 28. The box office is on 0161 928 1113 or you can e-mail ct.tickets@gmail.com Star rating - ***