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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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Laughs amid the dramatics Pinnie power! Amanda Grant as Mona, Mike Nile as Teddy and Tony O'Hagan as Derek Trivial Pursuits Hall Green Little Theatre **** ANYONE who has ever been involved in even
the smallest way with amateur dramatics societies will know there are
never anything so vulgar cliques or hidden agendas, nor is there ever
any bitchy backbiting, nor ever a hint of an attempt to influence the
selection of productions or, God forbid, any manoeuvring or angling for
roles. Or maybe not . . . in which case this play by
Frank Vickery will ring enough bells with amateur disciples of Thespis
to sound like a campanologists' convention. T Nick, played in a reliable, matter of fact way by
Jon Richardson, is the director of our outpost of amateur dramatics and
has invited the leading lights of the society to a barbecue at his house
to announce, in grand fashion, the next production. The simple fact that the barbie refuses to light
should be a clue that this is going to be a memorable event - but
probably not for the best of reasons. Confident, fully in control Nick has it all in
hand until he discovers from the meek and mild treasurer Pearl, played
meekly and mildly by Lucy Poulter, that the society is deep in the red
and only surviving because Pearl's brother-in-law is the bank manager
and not charging interest That leaves Nick with a bit of a dilemma, and
when a few skeletons come clattering out of cupboards he ends up
promising starring roles in different shows to a whole raft of
society members who are slowly working their way through his bar as he
tries to tap-dance his way through the minefield he is creating for
himself. For a start he has tried the old casting couch
technique – or in his case the half painted garden bench method – in an
attempt to have his wicked way in return for one starring role. Then there are the roles promised as a result of
not just one attempt at blackmail but two entirely different threats to
his comfortable way of life, and then there is always the promise to his
wife about a leading role for her sister and, trumping them all, there
is the rich backer who will pump a shedload of cash into the bankrupt
society's funds for a price – a role in a yet another different show.
Add in a suicide attempt, a marriage meltdown and
a random loony on the roof attempting to realign the TV aerial amid the
chaos below and, with four widely different musicals promised, along
with associated starring roles, to four different people the chances of
a happy ending are diminishing by the minute. Mike Nile is superb as Teddy, gay, camp and
bitchy when riled. He can be everyone's friend, a real pussy cat, but a
tiger when riled, or so he tells us with a flounce and a flourish. His ally is Joyce, played in an emotional (as a
newt) way by Linda Neal. Her past glories from days gone by are
legendary as is her drinking these days and she is trying to live down
being the Calamity in Calamity Jane, in the last production. Joyce's cause for a leading role, in turn, is
being championed by both Teddy and her sister who is Nick's wife Roz,,
played with calm among the chaos by Amy Leadbeter. Also pitching in for her choice of show and a
part that would be several years too late for her, is Mona, played with
a sly, conspiratorial, confidence by Amanda Grant who has what she
believes is a trump card up her flowing, silk sleeve. Moping in the corner is Derek, filthy rich and as
exciting as cold gravy, played with a desperate intensity by Tony
O'Hagan who nicely captures the turmoil in Derek's tedious life as his
divorce to wife Deirdre, played with struggling, resigned patience by
Kalpana Boodhoo, comes closer. Here is a man whose life has ended as far
as he is concerned – and the problem is that no one will really notice. Lurking in the background is the young, pretty,
ambitious Jessica, played bitchily by Marie White; meanwhile clattering
about rearranging TVs and aerials we have Eddie, who might have come
with Deirdre but was there entirely by accident – which is probably how
he arrived on the earth in the first place - played by Samuel Hopkins.
The result chaos with some very funny moments,
some nice one liners and some lovely touches from Mike Nile as the oh so
gay Teddy who has come out so far he is halfway to the next county. There are some priceless moments such as when
Teddy, hands tightly bandaged – don't ask - needs help to go to the
toilet from Deidre, who is seen by all as a medical professional after
taking a first aid course at night school – not the best time for the
distraught Derek to re-enter. And then we have Derek's attempt at stand-up . .
. real alternative comedy or perhaps more an alternative to comedy. Director Diane Lowry has kept up a decent pace
and has managed to bring out the mood swings between anticipation and
devastation as hopes and dreams first grow and are then dashed. A mention too for the excellent set which gave us
a typical, middle class, suburban patio as a backdrop to the real drama
hidden behind amateur dramatics. The result is a solid, enjoyable
production with plenty of laughs and a most unexpected twist at the end.
Ah, if only their friends could have seen them then . . .To
14-07-12 Roger Clarke |
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