Tim Luscombe
A Perfect Ganesh
Location: Watford Palace Theatre
Date: 2002
I’d worked quite a bit on Terrence McNally’s plays before I directed A Perfect Ganesh. For the London Gay Theatre Company I’d directed the European premiere of his play André’s Mother, and staged a rehearsed reading of the Lisbon Traviata. I’d also agreed to direct McNally’s Love Valor Compassion at the Contact Theatre in Manchester. But this was the first full-length play of his that I actually directed. Featuring Sandra Dickinson and Lolly Susi, it was a big success at the Watford Palace Theatre
The European premiere in Leeds provoked a barrage of hostile reviews for its mawkish sentimentality and the irritating mask-wearing Ganesha. Prospects for a London production seemed unlikely. But director Tim Luscombe has discovered deep layers of refreshing irony under the marzipan.
John Thaxter, The Stage
Tim Luscombe’s delightful production…
Carol Woddis, Evening Standard
The crowd sat wrapt as Tim Luscombe’s vigorous production unfolded… Director Luscombe steers the action so precisely that it never descends into melodrama, and each woman’s pain is explored with delicacy and great depth of emotion.
Phil Chapman, What’s On