A Bunch of Amateurs

I love coming to review Maldon Drama Group productions as they are one of the friendliest groups of people you will ever come across. Their welcome to all the audience is wonderful. The front of house ladies, with their yellow sashes, are all there to help, make each show a success and encourage you to come back to see another show..

Maldon’s latest offering was ‘A Bunch of Amateurs’ by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman. It was originally conceived as a film starring Burt Reynolds, Derek Jacobi and Imelda Staunton being selected for the Royal Film Performance in November 2008.

A tiny amateur theatre group, in Stratford Suffolk, is threatened with closure and in a last minute attempt to save it, they invite a celebrity; washed-up Hollywood star Jefferson Steel, to star in King Lear. However he thinks he is in Stratford-upon-Avon to play King Lear at the RSC.

Scott Peters as Jefferson Steel arrived up the aisle in a flash of cameras with journalists Chris Pond and Carol Ash. Brash and arrogant in leather jacket, sunglasses and cap he certainly made a great entrance. Looking maybe a little too young for the role of the aging Hollywood action hero he kept his accent going throughout, although sometimes I found it hard to understand his Shakespearean dialogue.

Meeting him was Director and ex professional actor Dorothy Nettle (Carey Brown). She opens with a monologue speech which was beautifully projected and clear. During the show she gave a constant performance but just sometimes when she talked upstage (which goes also for some of the others in the cast) she was a little quiet making it sometimes difficult to pick up what was said. There are some beautiful songs from Lear’s Fool and as she sung some of these at the end of each scene, her singing voice was beautifully clear and in tune. She gave us a director who really cared about her cast and the closing of the barn.

Nigel Dewbury (David Ford) gave a fabulous performance on stage. His projection and charisma showed us an experienced actor who was clearly enjoying every second of his role. Pompous and loud he was not happy to be usurped by a has-been film actor who in his opinion couldn’t act.

Dennis Dobbins (Martin Adams) was very funny and his various suggestions for portraying the scene in which Gloucester’s eyes are gouged out were hilarious. I loved the onion scene when one dropped onto the floor and he picked it up and offered it to Jefferson, then ate it.

Mary Plunkett (Ghislaine Davis) was the enthusiastic amateur actress who ran the B & B where Jefferson was staying. Mary is in awe of the star status of her guest and made the most of the kissing scene in the last few minutes of the show. You always know every time you see Ghislaine on stage that she will not let any director down and is a solid member of the team.

Marie Belsey plays the glamorous sponsor's PR Lauren Bell who ends up in a misunderstood compromising situation when giving physiotherapy to Jefferson. A skill slightly misinterpreted by Mary.

Last but not least is Jessica Steel (Dina Harris) as the estranged daughter, with an attitude problem against her father and whose presence provides a Lear-ish sub-plot. This was a spirited performance and Dina gave us a feisty and believable character.

The set was well designed, with signs all over the walls as found in most village halls, although at times a bit wobbly when the door was slammed. Odd chairs, broom handles, odds and sods gave the feel that we had all rehearsed in a hall like that one before. Lighting and sound by Simon Cooke, Michelle Fisher and Sandra Cooke were well executed. Costumes were excellent and correct for the roles.

Directed yet again by Helen Rasmussen, this play was a great choice to put on as the audience really loved it.  There were a few blocking problems during the show but this could have been because of all the props and furniture on stage, leaving little room for the cast to find a space. Hard work and dedication of the cast and crew were evident, I am so glad it was such a huge success for them all. Thank you for a lovely evening which we enjoyed very much.

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