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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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Gamma rays shine on young cast Four Hall Green Youth Theatre members share the roles of the two daughters. On the left are Hannah Scothern (left) and Anna Garrett while on the right are Laura Coxson (left) and Roisin Keating. The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds Hall Green Little Theatre *** I AM always uneasy when I approach a play with an outlandish, ridiculously long title. I can't help wondering whether the author has so little faith in his work that he is relying on curiosity to fill the theatre. This one received a bundle of awards in 1971 but is really only a study of a dysfunctional family headed by an unpleasant mother who is an embarrassment to one of her two daughters. This is the daughter who appears to drift in and out of sanity and gives a detailed account of boiling cats before skinning them. The other, eliciting considerable sympathy in a gentle, restrained performance by Anna Garrett, is the incipient scientist whose marigolds have been exposed to cobalt 60. I am not sure whether the effect of the gamma rays was the one intended, but on the first night the marigolds had all come up as pinks. Or were they carnations? FINER FEELINGS Paul Zindel's play is directed by Patrick Ryan, who has also designed the lighting and the sound for this studio production. It repeatedly inflicts long, monologue-like speeches on the mother – Christine Bland who, on the first night was occasionally overwhelmed by their demands despite coping admirably for the rest of the time and particularly displaying her requisite lack of finer feelings by referring to the unfortunate Nanny (Jennifer Llanes) as “that corpse.” But this is a company that
gels well. Anna Garrett (Mathilda) is kindly and supportive towards her
mother; Hannah Scothern is the flamboyant, unpredictable Ruth, prone to
fits, exaggeration and lying. Both girls are confident in their
substantial contributions and are members of the Hall Green Youth
Theatre. They are sharing their roles during the week with Roisin
Keating and Laura Coxson. To 6.3.10.
John Slim
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