Here’s what the critics said about “A Beautiful Friendship”, performed at The Corner House Community Theatre in Surbiton on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th May 2025:
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ A Beautiful Friendship at The cornerHOUSE, Tolworth.
Charlie (Phil Austin) is a depressed divorcé with a Humphrey Bogart fedora he’s never dared wear. Richard (David Hamilton) is his best friend, in a suspicious rush to set him up on a blind date. Charlie dons the hat and sets off to meet Adèle (Mia Skytte) at Lulu’s Bar, where the waitress (Debi Wright) decides to take an interest in proceedings and his ex-wife Calista (Cristina Martínez) makes an unscheduled appearance.
So begins a witty, deftly-woven modern midlife tale of losing and looking for love, directed by Michael Franklin. Polished performances deliver both high comedy and moments of pathos. Written by Phil and Cristina, there are sophisticated nods to Hollywood and Aristotle amid the hilarious goings-on. Clever staging creates a cocktail bar where the comedy unfolds at separate tables.
Don’t miss this madcap and moving romcom about love, lies, friendship – and hats.
Sharon Wright
Tis said every shocking story begins with a lie, followed by a cover-up. Such is Phil and Cristina Austinez’s hilarious production, _A_ _Beautiful_ _Friendship_. Given a witty and heartfelt script, and great acting from the talented cast of Second Act, you get a delightful evening bursting with laughter. Play it again Sam!
Break a leg
Remi Kapo, author of ‘A Savage Culture” and :Reap the Forgotten Harvest:, former director of the Roundhouse Camden
A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP
In the first play by Phil and Cristina Austinez and production company Second Act, divorcee Charlie (Phil Austin) is looking for love – preferably with someone who appreciates the work of his hero, Humphrey Bogart.
Aside from tipping a fedora to Bogie’s big screen classics, with this romcom we’re in the realms of farce, thanks to the meddling involvement of Charlie’s best mate Richard (David Hamilton). He’s shadowing Charlie on a blind date with the potential love interest he’s met online, Adele, at Lulu’s Bar.
But why does Charlie’s Greek ex-wife Calista (Cristina Martinez) show up too? And is the mysterious Adele (Mia Skytte) keeping some rather crucial parts of her story secret from her date?
As waitress Louisa, Debi Wright serves up a huge helping of comedy, whether she’s ignoring her customers’ orders, misinterpreting their conversation or sharing mind-boggling details from her own clearly colourful private life.
With the authors’ day jobs having involved journalism and crossword writing it’s perhaps not surprising that the script is well-written as well as witty. And while farce might have been around for centuries, it feels fresh in this play, focussing on the ups and downs of midlife romance in the age of internet dating.
There is plenty to enjoy in the plotting of Charlie and Adele’s romance – along with twists in the tale we won’t give away here – and Second Act aren’t afraid to mix things up, style wise.
So audiences should buckle up for a detour into classical Greek theatre, as Calista takes a surreal bus tour of London, complete with a Greek Chorus joining in the fun with their commentary.
All the performers play their parts well, but special mention should go to David Hamilton as scheming Richard, whose background in stand-up comedy makes the most of the wit in the sharp script.
To paraphrase As Time Goes By in Casablanca, A Beautiful Friendship puts a fresh spin on what could be the same old story. And our audience certainly did welcome these lovers during an evening that brought a load more laughs than many a first date.
Tricia Martin, TV critic, commentator, writer and judge for the British Soap Awards
