Nick Kush, Kerry Johnson, Venus Rivers, CJ Silver and Dave Cruickshank perform Up Pompeii! on media night on Feb. 15, 2022. (Photo Courtesy Chris Brown)

By Chris Brown

Review: Up Pompeii! explodes with laughs

Feb 16, 2023 | 10:34 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Much like the lava that rushes from Mount Vesuvius, the laughs come fast and furious throughout Medicine Hat Musical Theatre’s new production Up Pompeii!.

The group presented media night on Wednesday for the show based on the TV series and movies of the same name, a British farce filled with lighthearted and naughty jokes.

Up Pompeii! follows the exploits of Lurcio, the head slave to a Roman senator, as he tries to carry out the senator’s wishes to “romance” Suspenda, who isn’t the type to need much romancing. Chaos ensues thanks to the senator’s family, a runaway slave, and lie upon lie as the colourful characters try to satisfy their urges or cover their butts.

Lurcio, played by Nick Kush, delivers most of the innuendos, double entendres and puns. Some of the puns are dirty, some clean, and all land with varying degrees of success; this is the intention as Lurcio makes clear in repeated breaks of the fourth wall.

As Suspenda, Shelby Haga gets laughs from her physical comedy and her laugh, and Boden Broadhead’s shy naivete as Nausius also stands out. Dave Cruickshank as Ludicrus Sextus dives into each of his cheeky words, deeds and states of dress.

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The first act moves slowly, setting up the madcap action of the second act leading to “the traditional uh-oh moment.” From there it’s a dash to the explosion of Mount Vesuvius and then the explosion of laughter when all is revealed.

Slightly risque at points, Up Pompeii! is advertised as a PG-13 show.

Up Pompeii! opens on Feb. 18 for the first of nine shows. For more information and to buy tickets visit mhmtheatre.com.