• Review For Us
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2022
    • Edinburgh News
    • Edinburgh Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2022
    • Edinburgh News
    • Edinburgh Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Edinburgh Fringe 2017
Our Man in Havana Review Edinburgh Fringe

Our Man in Havana Review Edinburgh Fringe

Edinburgh Review: Our Man in Havana at Pleasance Courtyard

by Greg Stewart
August 17, 2017
Reading Time: 2 mins read

Four Star Review from Theatre Weekly

The Young Pleasance have always been a highlight of any visit to Edinburgh Fringe, so, the news that some recent graduates have launched Spies Like Us Theatre Company is particularly good news. Their first production, Our Man in Havana, is a spy caper which is bursting with the high production values typical of The Young Pleasance.  Adapted from the Graham Greene novel by two members of the company, Ollie Norton Smith and Hamish Lloyd Barnes, in a very clever and well thought out way.

Brit abroad and struggling vacuum cleaner salesman James Wormold is rather unexpectedly recruited into the British secret service, and tasked with setting up a full operation in Havana, Cuba. He hasn’t the first idea how to do this, but needing the cash to fund his daughters’ extravagant lifestyle, he fabricates the whole thing, sending false reports back to London, with hilarious consequences.

       

Our Man in Havana has been beautifully directed by Ollie Norton Smith, the cast are dressed identically, with most of them playing multiple roles. The only props on stage are a variety of vacuum cleaner parts, which are adapted to every need. Anything that can’t be fashioned from a hose or nozzle, is formed from one or more members of the cast.

All are on stage throughout, often translating internal thoughts to physical movements. The choreography from Zac Nemorin, is great with some impressive Cuban dancing. Alex Holley, as James Wormold couldn’t be more perfect for the role, personifying the suave English gentleman too far out of his depth.  While Hamish Lloyd Barnes continues to impress as an actor, just watch his finely honed facial expressions and movements when he’s not part of the main action. All the cast do a great job, with Phoebe Campbell also standing out.

You mightalso like

Doktor Kaboom credit Fat Yeti Photography

Edinburgh Preview: Doktor Kaboom at Pleasance Courtyard (Beyond)

Tiger Lady courtesy of Chloe Nelkin Consulting

Edinburgh Preview: Tiger Lady at Pleasance Courtyard (Above)

Our Man in Havana is an incredibly funny production, the audience lapping up the subtle, and not so subtle jokes combined with physical comedy.  Bringing together impressive production values, which more established companies would be envious of, this is a production, and company, with a bright future ahead.

       
Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart

Greg is an award-winning writer with a huge passion for theatre. He has appeared on stage, as well as having directed several plays in his native Scotland. Greg is the founder and editor of Theatre Weekly

Related Articles

Doktor Kaboom credit Fat Yeti Photography
Edinburgh Fringe 2022

Edinburgh Preview: Doktor Kaboom at Pleasance Courtyard (Beyond)

Tiger Lady courtesy of Chloe Nelkin Consulting
Edinburgh Fringe 2022

Edinburgh Preview: Tiger Lady at Pleasance Courtyard (Above)

Svengali
Edinburgh Fringe 2022

Edinburgh Preview: Svengali at Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker 2)

Today I Killed My Very First Bird Image Courtesy of Chloe Nelkin Consulting
Edinburgh Fringe 2022

Edinburgh Preview: Today I Killed My Very First Bird at Pleasance Courtyard (Beside)

Made in Britain Rinkoo Barpaga Courtesy of Chloe Nelkin Consulting
Edinburgh Fringe 2022

Edinburgh Preview: Made in Britain at Pleasance Courtyard (Two)

The Cast of Classic
Edinburgh Fringe 2022

Edinburgh Preview: Classic! At Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance One)

Comments 1

  1. Pingback: Edinburgh Preview: Speed Dial at Pleasance Dome (Queen Dome) - Theatre Weekly

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, Kemp House, 152 - 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Tara Clerkin Trio part of Llais

Wales Millennium Centre announces Llais 2022 Line-up

The Throne Charlie Condou and Mary Roscoe Photo Tristram Kenton

First Look: The Throne at Charing Cross Theatre

© 2020 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2022
    • Edinburgh News
    • Edinburgh Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2020 Theatre Weekly