I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Groucho Marx on stage. Award-winning actor Frank Ferrante plays Groucho, and reprises his acclaimed portrayal of the comic genius.

Ferrante, accompanied by his onstage pianist, shares vivid anecdotes and dances his way through each of Groucho’s hilarious songs, that included “Hooray For Captain Spalding,”,  “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady” and “Doctor Hackenbush”.

Everyone sitting in the front row became part of this excellent show, with Ferrante delivering a magnificent tour-de-force performance in the grandest Groucho style.    

In this tribute show, Ferrante easily re-acquaints us with the likes of his four brothers Harpo, Chico, Zeppo and Gummo, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, MGM’s Louis B. Mayer. We learn all about Groucho Marx’s straight-woman who was his constant foil, the aristocratic Margaret Dumont.

You will have a wonderful night of laughter, but be prepared to laugh and laugh again. Family friendly comedy, learn about Groucho and his brothers, their Live Theatre Shows and from 1929 their epic comedy movies with five movies from Paramount and then five from Metro Goldwyn Mayer, and then ROOM SERVICE (1938) an RKO Radio Picture.

Later Groucho had his own show, first heard on radio and then moved to television from 1950-1961, his famous quiz show called “You Bet Your Life” which had the racier moments (suggestive innuendo) edited out before broadcast. However there is no mention made about the three latter movies, that Groucho made for Republic Pictures, Artists Alliance, United Artists (1946, 1947, 1949).

“I’ve had a wonderful evening . . . but this wasn’t it!” – Groucho Marx

Yes it was a night of truly wonderful entertainment, that will be long remembered. Recommended.

Sutherland Entertainment Centre, 30 Eton Street, Sutherland

AN EVENING WITH GROUCHO played for one night only on Friday November  11.

Duration under two hours, including one interval.