Black Tie Ball

John Godber

John Godber Company

Harrogate Theatre

September 10-13, 2025; 2 hrs

(also Cast, Doncaster, September 17-20; Dukes Lancaster, September 24-27; Lawrence Batley Theatre Huddersfield, September 20-October 1; Hull Truck Theatre, October 14-18; Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, October 21-24; Octagon Bolton, October 29-November 1; Bridlington Spa, November 3-4; Pocklington Arts Centre, November 6-8; Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, November 12-15)

Drinkies, anyone? Having black tie fun (clockwise from top left) are Levi Payne, Jade Farnill, William Ilkley and Dylan Allcock. All pics: company

Jon Godber’s Black Tie Ball doesn't deliver what I was expecting. Advance word made it sound like a farcical comedy chronicling a succession of mishaps at a fund-raising black tie event in a local venue.

But what we get is a mix of things “by turn satirical and touching” to quote the advance publicity.

The cast members play four hard-pressed waiting staff, clearing up the mess on the Sunday morning after the Saturday night before. Everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong, as events including a wedding to murder have taken place. But it all ends with a song.

From time to time, Godber has the staff stepping away from their duties to impersonate some of the characters, including a not-very-blushing bride and a tiresome celebrity, as they interact with staff in a series of short scenes.

While this gives the quartet of excellent performers a chance to display their versatility, it does feel a little underpowered at times. It’s fun, but not nearly funny nor dramatic enough.

The two-hour running time passes quickly enough, but the set-up promises more. This is nowhere near as good as Godber’s classic Bouncers and Teechers (which tours again next year).

The cast members – Dylan Allcock, William Ilkley, Levi Payne and Jade Farnill - do everything required of them, with a funny room-service scene involving Allcock and Payne in particular hitting the mark.

More info and tickets here