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Stefan Adegbola, Steven Pacey, Sarah Earnshaw, Mary Stockley, Philip McGinley and Ruth Jones The Nightingales
Malvern Theatres
**** Choral singing is known to be good for us
and a happy hum of anticipation rose above the audience as they settled
into their seats for William Gaminara’s fast-paced new comedy. Starring Ruth Jones, best known for TV’s Gavin
and Stacey and Stella, this is her first stage performance since 2006
and we quickly warm to her as Maggie, a Welsh single mum, newly-arrived
in a Yorkshire village. However, there is also something a little bit
strange about Maggie and we learn from her opening monologue that this
is not a play that ends well. Perhaps it would be better if this
information were revealed more slowly as the story unfolds. The play is set in a typical village hall and
kitchen, perfect in nearly every way, but the stacking chairs never seem
to stick together – how unusual. This is the weekly meeting place of a small a
cappella singing group who are happy to tackle everything “from Motown
to Mozart”. Two married couples, Steven and Diane (Steven Pacey and Mary
Stockley), Connie and Ben (Sarah Earnshaw and Philip McGinley) are
joined by Bruno (Stefan Adegbola), a young teacher who is also his
mother’s carer. Maggie is attracted by their harmonies and finds
a reason to introduce herself. She soon becomes a non-singing member
“the fifth Beatle” and turns up regularly, disrupting their rehearsals
with flapjacks and Welsh cakes for her new friends. Cracks in their seemingly happy relationships
begin to appear as we learn more about them. Current social problems are
referenced but never fully explored, which might have given the
characters more depth. There is hanky-panky in the kitchen, accusations
are made and tempers are tested. Maggie reveals that she has been
diagnosed with breast cancer and the group rallies round. The cracks
widen when Bruno suggests that they enter Talentfest, a local
competition that could lead to an appearance on Britain’s Got Talent,
and personal ambitions emerge. For ex model/actress Connie and former tennis
player Ben, whose career was cut short by injury, it is another chance
for fame and fortune. For Steven, the leader of the group, it is an
unwelcome distraction from his, more serious, musical dreams. His
younger wife, Diane, is just happy for some excitement to mask her
longing for a baby. Maggie is finally persuaded to sing.
This is a strong cast, working well together and
getting the most out of some very funny lines. Their singing is good
too, Sarah Earnshaw in particular, and I would have liked more music
throughout. The play ends with another monologue from Maggie and we
realise that we don’t really know her at all but it has been a very
enjoyable journey and a good night out at the theatre. Directed by
Christopher Luscombe, The Nightingales sing to 08-12-18 Sue Hawkins 03-12-18 |
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