Tainted Love is mostly a satire trying to layer on prestige by way of social commentary. The former works, while the latter somewhat founders. But if the real point of the play is to make the audience laugh, it accomplishes that quite satisfyingly.
Thanks to an appealing cast, Spotlight Theatre Company’s production of this 50-something comedy, directed by Tony Moore, is affable and watchable throughout.
In many respects, Tina Cini (Sheila) and Maxine Grubel (Carol) are the saving graces of a quaint, old-fashioned story about the loves and lives of women of a certain age. This capable pair deserves commendation for crafting believable characters from Johnny Grim’s script. Humour is humour however one looks at it, and it would be unjust to deny the big-hearted chortles that the production periodically delivers.
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Carol, Sheila and Tess (Joanna Webb) are meeting at Julie’s (Theresa Dolman) plush bungalow in Salford, near Manchester. The women haven’t met for a while and are supposedly there to celebrate the erection of a new gazebo that complements the wishing well and water feature. The gazebo is wonky. But Sheila has other news that will leave her friends astounded and more than a little shaken.
The comedy is gentle with lots of coarse language, sexual dissatisfaction and male bashing. But all is done and said tongue-in-cheek and is appropriate to the style of the women after a few glasses of champagne. Julie is well-heeled, Carol is flippant, Sheila is tough and Tess is a bit whimsical, yet there is no doubting their long-term friendship and loyalty to one another.
There is a lot of latent warmth in Tainted Love, as well as facetious humour, a touch of social commentary, wit, delightful dialogue and some realistic characters – more than enough to make this production both enjoyable and entertaining.
Spotlight Theatre Company is presenting Tainted Love at The Arch, Holden Street Theatres, until June 29.