Robyn O'Hagan as Inga, the doctor's assistant, had the hard job of being a typical Brooksian sexpot. These roles are hard to play but her use of yodelling as foreplay was a show highlight.
Samantha Grant Smith as Elisabeth, the doctor's highly strung fiancee, sang strongly and certainly knows how to work her audience.
Nominated for three Tony awards but found undeserving, Brooks has struggled to translate the film's 1930s black-and-white effect on to the stage, although this production set is excellent, and instead had to rely on jokes that at times stop being clever and move into smuttiness. Richardson has done a grand job to project some freshness into this production but has been assisted by a talented cast of "kooky characters" whose timing and facial expressions were spot on, while choreographer Nathen Wright gave a nice flow to the ensemble.
Musical director Paul has had to deal with songs that give the appearance of being thrown together, although his interpretation of He Vas My Boyfriend showcases his own talent and gives a glimpse of Brooks' comic genius. While this show is two hours long, it is worth the wait to see the famous Monster Mash version of Irving Berlin's Puttin' on the Ritz and, if nothing else, as you leave you will at least have the feeling of seeing "a monster of a musical".
Young Frankenstein, Tabard Theatre, Ahuriri, April 3 to April 19
