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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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A demise in the festive tradition
Sticky Fingers: Helen Cooper (Amber Bluck), Paula Ellis (Sally Metcalfe) and Diana Russell-Hayes (Michelle Whitfield) Arrangements for Murder Swan Theatre Amateur Company Swan Theatre, Worcester *** FOR several years now, Angela Lanyon has
written and directed a murder mystery for the group in time for
Christmas. There are mince pies, wine and other seasonal
comestibles at the interval, so that the studio audience always has
something to digest while trying to second-guess the dénouement
before all is revealed by the script. It is the same this time around. We see the
committee trying and failing to find a name for the new community centre
and we watch old animosities resurfacing. And then we're suddenly a character short –
disposed of while we're getting at the festive food. We don't get a
glimpse of the dirty deed, because that might give us a clue to
whodunit. So yes, it's happy hokum time, with cats looming
large in the script and lots of possibilities to ponder. Finding a name for the barn: Diana Russell-Hayes (Michelle Whitfield) and Colonel `Monty' March (Jason Moseley) consider the possibilities None of which has prompted an excellent company
to take its responsibilities lightly. The night is full of pleasing
performances. Jess Hirst scores throughout as the young and
daffy cat-breeder, Sally Metcalfe is Paula, the grumpy bully; and Jason
Moseley is the colonel who is a veteran of the Falklands. Michelle Whitfield is the extremely posh Diana,
who is in all sorts of trouble for letting the cats out and who finds
herself being scandalously linked with the colonel; and Andrew Dunkley
is Terry, the newsagent. Chris Read is Robin, the pleasant young man who
allows himself to become cross in trying circumstances, and Amber Bluck
is the suave Helen – a particularly attractive performance on a first
night that brimmed with them. It is a pleasing, informal way to begin the
run-up to Christmas, even if finding a name for a community centre seems
a slightly tenuous starting-point for what festers as a result. To
10-12-11. John Slim |
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