Plays
about amateur and professional drama companies putting on plays tend to be very
popular and there is quite a range to choose from. It was interesting to see a
new version written by a local writer, Blake Coleman, with family links to the
Players and, in general, the script was great fun. In some ways I was sorry
that I had not attended one of the performances at Buckden as I am sure that
the more intimate atmosphere of the Hall there would have created a better
atmosphere for this premiere but, nevertheless, it provided an enjoyable
evening of entertainment. The Players are an experienced Society and there were
some excellent individual performances. Particularly memorable were the
pairings of Lawrence Allright and Marina Coleman-Rivers, Colin Webber and
Shelly Browne and Martin Findlay and Bryony Mountfort. Lol Smith, George Kelly,
Maxine Evans and Jan Webber also gave reliable and totally believable
interpretations but, in some ways, the sheer size of the cast inhibited serious
character development in all areas and several of the scenes, particularly in
the first half, tended to be very static. However, in the central role of Rita,
Charlotte Edwards was splendid and she soon became the central focus of the
action. Her performance was low key and nicely judged and she rapidly attracted
the sympathy of the audience. In this she received strong support from Kevin
Shepherd as a very camp, energetic and appropriately over-the-top, Tom and Ian
Francis as the cheerful and dependable Keith. This was a complete contrast to
the Players’ recent productions but thoroughly enjoyable for all that and I
particularly liked the nicely choreographed musical interludes.
Michael
G Williamson
NODA
Regional Representative : District 1
