Dramatic Comedy Play Review Eric Chappell Side Effects

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2011 - Samuel French Ltd. - Spoiler alerts Though we share a surname I'm not aware of being related to this dramatist, best known for the classic TV comedy series, Rising Damp. Side Effects is a very funny one off drama set in the visiting rooms of a hospital. Frank is recovering from an unknown paralyzing virus, when he and his visiting deeply religious wife, June, discover that their local vicar, Rev Paul Latimer is also a patient, recovering from a heart transplant. He finds himself stalked by a girl called Tracey, who has discovered that the heart was previously owned and used by her lover, Melvin, a fairground wall-of-death motorcycle rider who died when the wall really killed him. When the vicar starts smoking, swearing, drinking and womanizing, leaving Tracey, June and Sarah (the Vicar's wife) convinced that the spirit of Melvin is taking over the vicar's personality the sceptical Frank sets out to prove their theory wrong. Funny, with lots of irreverent digs at the church of England, and the absurdity of Melvin's death. There are just five characters in the play which is quite a delight to read. Arthur Chappell