‘And now for my next trick!’ – Some Mothers Do ‘Ave’ Em, Orchard West, Dartford. 6.08.2026
It was back to and what will most likely be my final time at the Orchard West, for the opening night of Erith Theatre Guild ‘Some Mothers Do ‘Ave’ Em
Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em is a comedy play centred around the accident-prone and optimistic Frank Spencer based on the tv series of the same name. Frank is desperate to improve his life, find a job and prove that he can be successful. He also dreams of becoming a magician, believing that this could be his chance to make something of himself. However, Frank’s determination and lack of practical ability quickly lead to a series of chaotic and hilarious situations. Betty, his wife is trying to give Frank some important news, but her attempts are repeatedly interrupted and complicated by Frank’s mishaps, misunderstandings and determination to become a magician. What could go wrong?
Unlike the television show, where the comedy can be enhanced through editing, camera angles and carefully timed cuts, the stage production relies heavily on the performers’ physical comedy, timing and delivery. The dialogue was delivered very well, with the cast capturing the humour and characterisation effectively. However, the physical comedy and timing were less consistent in some places. At times, it was noticeable that performers were anticipating the next movement or cue, which made some moments feel slightly pre-empted rather than spontaneous. This occasionally affected the flow and meant that some of the comedic moments did not land as strongly as they could have. As this was the first night of the production, these issues can be viewed as areas for fine-tuning as the cast become more comfortable with the rhythm and physical demands of the performance. Overall, however, the cast delivered a strong performance and successfully captured the chaotic and accident-prone life of Frank Spencer, creating an enjoyable and entertaining production for the audience.
Sean Ramsden donned the iconic beret of Frank Spencer and it was clear that he had done his research. He captured the character’s distinctive voice, mannerisms and physical style with an authenticity that would surely make Michael Crawford smile. Ramsden carried the show with confidence, embracing Frank’s chaotic energy while maintaining the character’s lovable and innocent nature throughout. He was perfectly suited to the role and delivered a strong central performance that held the production together.
His relationship with Charlotte Kemp, who played his wife Betty, was also well executed, with the pair displaying great chemistry on stage. Their interactions felt natural and believable, particularly during the more chaotic moments, helping to create the sense of a genuine relationship beneath the comedy. Kemp also gave a confident and consistent performance throughout, balancing Betty’s frustration with Frank’s antics while maintaining her character’s warmth and patience. Together, Ramsden and Kemp made a convincing pairing.
Dave Witham, in the dual roles of Mr Worthington and Mr Luscombe, demonstrated his versatility as an actor by creating two very distinctive characters. His portrayal of the stern and business-like Mr Worthington was a strong contrast to the camp and flamboyant Mr Luscombe. Witham embraced the larger-than-life mannerisms of Luscombe, at times giving the character an almost Elton John-esque quality, particularly through his wig, style and flamboyant persona. The clear distinction between the two roles showcased Witham’s ability to completely transform his characterisation and brought an added layer of comedy to the production. This versatility was also reflected in Trevor Donnelly’s performance, as he took on the contrasting roles of cameraman Leslie Robin and another character later in the production. Donnelly successfully created two distinct personas, convincing both the audience and Frank himself of the difference between the characters. His ability to switch between the roles added another layer of comedy and demonstrated his versatility as a performer. Exactly how he manages to convince Frank — and the audience — is something you should have seen for yourself, so I’ll leave that one spoiler-free!
Barbara Fisher, as Betty’s mum, excelled in the role of the classic mother figure, particularly with her ability to drink straight to the bottom of the glass while remaining completely unfazed by the chaos around her. Fisher also demonstrated some impressive comic timing with the tongue twisters, earning a well-deserved round of applause from the audience on one occasion. It was a lovely moment that showed just how well she had the audience on her side.
Then there was David Maun as Father O’Hara, who seemed to find himself perpetually in the wrong place at exactly the wrong time whenever Frank’s chaos unfolded. Maun handled these moments extremely well, reacting to the escalating situations with great comic timing and maintaining the character throughout. His ability to become caught up in Frank’s increasingly ridiculous circumstances added another enjoyable layer to the mayhem.
Overall, Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em was a great rendition of the Frank Spencer era, capturing the spirit, chaos and charm that has made the character so memorable. Erith Theatre Guild have put together an entertaining production that gives audiences plenty of laughs while allowing the cast to put their own stamp on these much-loved characters.
Having seen what the company can deliver, I hope this is just a glimpse of what Erith Theatre Guild have in store for the future. With many more productions to come, I look forward to seeing what they bring to the stage next.
