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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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Co-edache brings on the laughs
The Happiest Days of Your Life The Grange Players Grange Playhouse, Walsall **** THIS John Dighton farce, set after World
War II, must have delighted audiences looking for some light relief when
peace was restored in shell-shocked Britain. And judging by the reaction of first-nighters at The Grange the humour is just as welcome in the current climate as it was way back in the 50s. The story became a hit film starring Alastair Sim
and Margaret Rutherford and it has transferred smoothly to the stage,
even though the final scenes - hectic as they are - seem a shade too
long. It does, however, prove a very successful start
to the players' 61st season, with a splendid cast enjoying the romp as
two public schools - one for boys the other for girls - are, through a
bureaucratic blunder, billeted together during building shortages, and
staff attempt to hide the fact from posh parents, with hilarious
results. Allan Lane and Rachel Waters excel as rival
headteachers Godfrey Pond (Hilary Hall School) and Miss Whitchurch (St
Swithins). Lane gets it just right as the boys' school boss losing his
power to the domineering woman who must be obeyed, while Waters is pure
class, barking orders in situations that sometimes smack of St Trinians.
There is also a cracking performance from Joe
Cryan, playing loveable gay teacher Rupert Billings (nicknamed Daisy
after asking pupils to 'give me your answer, do), trying to fight off
the attentions of jolly hockeysticks games mistress, Miss Gossage
(nicknamed Sausage), energetically played by Aimee Hall. There's never a
dull moment when the amusing pair are together on stage High marks, too, for David Thane (assistant
master Dick Tassel), who wins a bet that there are more than two types
of women teachers when Zoe Maisey, playing St Swithins glamorous
assistant mistress Joyce Harper, turns up in the Masters' Common Room
and there is immediate sexual electricity between the pair. Then along comes Kerry Frater. He's a real hoot
as the grumpy peak-capped school porter and groundsman, Rainbow. Rarely
far from the action, he even raises a laugh on the numerous occasions he
carries a step ladders past the French windows of the excellent set,
designed by play director Dexter Whitehead and Tony Groves, and
constructed by Groves, Robert Onions and Sue Groves. Pupils of the two schools are represented
confidently by Phoebe Hooper (Barbara Cahoun) and Harry Gregory (Hopcroft
Minor), and the frequently baffled parents are played by David Weller
(Rev Edward Peck), Jenny Gough (Mrs Peck), Chris Waters (Edgar Sowter)
and Claire Cooper (Mrs Sowter). As an added treat for the audience, photographs
of the cast are included in the programme designed by Paul Viles...but
were taken when the adults were themselves at school. A really nice
touch. Produced by Becki Jay, the play may remind
people that schooldays were perhaps the happiest days of their lives! Paul Marston |
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