Kenilworth theatre’s cast are superb but play’s theme is uncomfortable

Lock Up Your Daughters was hit musical first premiered in 1959 and based on a long forgotten comedy by Henry Fielding, called Rape Upon Rape.

It is set in 18th century London, a libidinous town where a girl must look out to keep her virtue, or else sell it at the highest price. The original show was a biting satire on the corruption of the judiciary, who made handsome profits by bribing the accused and their victims.

Lock Up Your Daughters turns this satire into farce. The show gives the Priory players an opportunity to show off their talents in a boisterous musical with all the trimmings.

There are some superb performances - Kevin Coughlan as the randy old judge Mr Squeezum, and his philandering wife, played heartily by Juliet Grundy. Charlotte Jeffries is all strawberries and cream as Hilaret, the not quite so virtuous daughter of the myopic Politic (Jason French).

The cast were spot on with their timing and the musical numbers had the audience humming along. Credit must be given for the set, which made superb use of a small space and the directing which saw each member of the cast use it to the full.

If the satire is less evident than the farce, then the colour and vibrancy of the show make for an enjoyable evening.

It is nevertheless an uncomfortable choice of play. 18th century audiences may have understood rape as an allegory of personal freedom. Jokes about rape have a different impact today.

Nick Le Mesurier