The Librarians: A Very Serious Comedy - Pleasance Two Pleasance Courtyard - Review

Years ago, libraries acted as community hubs, abuzz with activities and much loved by their visitors. Now, for the most part, they are lonely long forgotten relics of time gone by plodding along and clinging to life as the modern world moves on without them. And this idea forms the premise of The Librarians A Very Serious Comedy written by Matthew Howell and Jack Michael Stacey, a brand new show from A. Cabbage Presents,  fresh off the back of their previous fringe success Spy Movie The Play.

Plumstanton Library could be described as a sinking ship, crumbling, creaking and falling apart at the seams, but three determined employees are sticking by her side, and perhaps going down with her. Harry Wordsworth (Matthew Howell) is standing in as manager following the death of the former head, taken too soon by a falling shelf of Agatha Christie classics whilst Elaine (Billie Hamer) is all too eager to use her stamp for book fines and believes that everything, even deciding which biscuits to have with tea, requires a democratic vote. They are joined by the volunteer, known simply and only as ‘work experience’ (Jack Michael Stacey) who is eager to help in any way possible and to get his school work signed off, despite having left education years ago. When Jill (Jo Hartland), a new acting manager arrives from London and an inspection is due, can this crew save their library?

With several cast members having spent time causing carefully crafted chaos at Haversham Manor in Mischief Theatre’s The Play That Goes Wrong, this is a production crammed full of comedy professionals who know exactly how to get a laugh so you know that you are in for a comedic treat here.

Howell’s Harry is as competitive as he is dedicated to his library, wanting to save it whilst being awarded the management role he thinks he deserves. With his spot on comedic timing and buzzing energy, Howell earns many a laugh, especially when desperately following a phone cable around the space. Elaine, played by Billie Hamer, is the voice of reason and a firm believer in fairness, even when it means that things might not go her way, and whilst the chaos unfolds around her Hamer somehow manages to keep a straight face. It is Jack Michael Stacey’s work experience who earns perhaps some of the biggest laughs, bumbling around and trying to remain calm in the panic.

Jo Hartland’s Jill is straight laced and serious, determined to do whatever it takes to save the library despite the strange suggestions from the team and the crumbling state of the building with its limited stock, dodgy electrics and angry town residents whilst James Watterson’s inspector is a deer caught in the headlights walking into the madness.

Whilst the jokes may not come as thick and fast as in Spy Movie The Play, The Librarians still has many a laugh out loud moment combining word play and visual gags whilst also providing a commentary on the state of libraries and how we as an society have fallen out of love with them. A lot is squeezed into the hour running time, so much show that with a little bit of work this could be extended into a two act production which would give the characters more space to grow and explore their backstories a little.

The Librarians: A Very Serious Comedy is very clever, silly and incredibly funny, sitcom in style and showcasing the writing skills of Matthew Howell and Jack Michael Stacey whilst providing the audience with great entertainment.