Cooped at Leicester Square Theatre

Take a break from the flat screen of the cinema and allow yourself to be entertained by Spymonkey’s Cooped, an extraordinary cocktail of comedy and theatre. A self-confessed “demented gothic thriller”, it is guaranteed to entertain for a full hour and forty-five minutes.

Directed and created by Cal McCrystal (comic director for the National Theatre’s recent Tony-winning One Man Two Guvnors), Cooped has a cast of just four actors: Aitor Basauri, Petra Massey, Stephan Kreiss and Toby Park, all of whom boast amazing backgrounds in theatre and television.

Cooped follows the story of Laura du Lay (Massey), a bubbly blonde with flatulence problems and a penchant for short hem-lines. Arriving at a remote country-house in the middle of “Northumberlandhamptonshire”, Miss du Lay takes up the position of confidential secretary to the reclusive and rather dashing master of the house Mr Forbes Murdston (Park). Reminiscent of the board game Cluedo, the strange goings on in the house intensify the closer Miss du Lay and Mr Murdston grow. The odd atmosphere is not helped by manservant Klaus (Kreiss), Inspector Judadench (Basauri), or the appearance of a ghost.

Even with tragedy brewing in the wings the characters have an immense amount of fun; in particular Miss du Lay’s dreams had a side-splitting effect on the audience. The real genius of Cooped is its ability to inject humour into every element of the performance. The use of props (look out for remote-control pheasants!) and costumes had the cast playing more than one character: each act is a real joy to behold.

There are adult themes that aren’t advertised, however, it is pure fun with no trashy over-sexualisation – a refreshing change from the current trend in Hollywood.

For one week only, Cooped is lighting up the West End with its unique and absurd humour. This Spymonkey classic has amused audiences in the Sydney Opera House and Just For Laughs in Montreal, and now it’s back in Leicester Square – don’t miss it!

Jennifer Atkinson

Cooped is at Leicester Square Theatre until 23^rd March 2013. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.