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Dial M for Mayhem Malvern Theatres **** Dial M for Mayhem is a kind of theatrical and comical autobiography by Middle Ground Theatre Company: Director and Founder Michael Lunney, with writer Margaret May Hobbs, looking back to the early days of the company, touring remote and rural areas of Scotland with a small troupe of itinerant players in an untrustworthy van. The-experience was fertile ground for an hilarious ‘mick-take’! With echoes of Noises Off and other explorations of the behind thescenes world of theatre, the company of six players arrive at the fictional Loch Shindig, to prepare for a performance to a tiny audience from an unsophisticated farming community. It is cold, the power supply is unreliable, half the scenery h as blown off the roof of the van en route, the community centre is still in use in part as a medical centre – the situation is delightfully chaotic. The sleep-deprived cast is anchored by the director/manager Andrew Jenkins, played by Theo Woodford, who manfully tries to hold the team and the performance together, and to keep spirits up. They all need to multi-task in various ways: Julian (Joey Lockhart) even has to sell ice creams in the interval! Samantha Middleton, (Isabella Inchbald), struggles with the escape of the normally caged rat! Then there is Luke Rhodri as Sean Farrell while the other members of the cast, Alasdair Baker and Eliza Langland play two or more roles, swapping very quickly and effectively in appearance, accents and style; the acting versatility of the team is impressive. The set, the props, the costumes and the sound effects all work brilliantly to provide the atmosphere. The use of projections above the action at the back is very effective: the landscapes, the rain, the night-time scenery are live and establish the setting very well. The first act lacks much plot or action and relies on verbal descriptions and character eccentricities to amuse. In Act Two the farcical action takes off as the cast are in performance, struggling to keep the show on the road or stage. Missing keys and other props, escaping rats, power cuts and backstage bust-ups accelerate the action and heighten the hilarity. Middle Ground are an excellent theatre company that has grown from such adventurous and humble beginnings to become an established company of excellent productions that tour the country and contribute richly to the artistic landscape of the nation. It is great and nostalgic fun to be reminded of the courage and commitment that enabled them to begin their journey. The journey continues in Malvern to 31-08-24. Tim Crow 28-08-24 |
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