Ian Hislop and Nick Newman adapted the satirical spoof memoir The Autobiography of a Cad by A.G.Macdonnel into a stage production now playing at The Watermill Theatre near Newbury until 22nd March 2025. The story chronicles the life of Edward Fox-Ingleby the Cad played by James Mack. From his childhood on his father’s estate to his education at Eton and Oxford and onto his time serving during the war.
Mack is in the role of the insufferable CAD whose privileged life and appalling behavior are about to be transformed into an autobiography. Rhiannon Neads in the role of Miss Appleby has been hired to dictate and type up the autobiography and Mitesh SONI in the role of Mr Collins is employed to fact-check and research for the CAD to ensure the truth is adhered to!
Even when the pair point out the errors of publishing some of the “bad taste” memoirs CAD doesn’t see anything wrong with his past behaviour and tells them to keep it in. His attitude is cringeworthy and inappropriate. However, the facts found by Mr Collins and the reality explained by CAD never appear to quite add up! Although CAD has an answer and fabricated story for everything.
NEADS takes on the role of the various other female characters throughout the play. There are quite a few as the CAD has an eye for the ladies. Each of the female roles has a substantial storyline. NEADS brings each one to life and switches effortlessly from the feisty rich American to his first wife who he leaves after she apparently has had “an affair” and has deeply hurt the CAD, allegedly!
The cast of three works closely together throughout the performance and brings each of the characters they play to life.
Through the life of the CAD we watch the corruption, deceit, dodgy dealings and infidelity that one man creates and destroys good people around him simply because he can and wants to protect his “good” name. There’s no despicable trick or turn he will not do to look innocent or play the victim.
Money and power especially in business and politics are the driving force behind too many people. If someone tries to bring you to justice and speak the truth then they must be stopped. CAD certainly goes to great lengths at times to try and protect his so-called “good name” although he is the only person who believes he has a good name.
Mack does an excellent job in the role of the CAD as by the end of the play I defy anyone not to want to hit him (in character) as he has an abundance of sleaze and dodged his way out of everything and all I wanted to see was him get his comeuppance in any form at all. What makes the character worse is the fact that history documents people just like him who have got away with far too much.
Nobody probably understands political satire more than Hislop and Newman who both have undoubtedly met an entire range of these CAD characters throughout their careers.
For more information about The Autobiography of a Cad and future productions at The Watermill Theatre please visit the link below.
Four Stars
Photo credit Matt Crockett
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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