A Bunch of Amateurs

Stratford Players are in trouble, their venue is under threat from developers, so, in a last-ditch attempt to save their group, they send appeals out to the big names of the acting world to help generate lifesaving interest. Answering their appeal is the also in trouble, Hollywood actor Jefferson Steel (Chris Binns). His flagging career sees him accept the opportunity to perform King Lear, in the home of the Bard itself, Stratford. Sadly it turns out to be a barn theatre in Stony Stratford.

A Bunch of Amateurs is a painfully British comedy (in a good way), often genuinely funny, and rarely do you end up less than a little entertained. The original film had some big names in it, so filling the likes of Burt Reynolds shoes as Jefferson Steel is Chris Binns, and Sir Derek Jacobi as Nigel Dewbury is Dave Collins.

Chris Binns is excellent as the occasionally sweary and obnoxious American, and he delivers Steel with the right balance of hate and gradual progression of softening to the character. Chris gives equal amounts of ego and pomposiity and delivers both excellent comedy timing, as well as great Shakespearean dialogue when required.

Joan Tattersall gives us a very likeable character as director Dorothy Nettle, it is lowkey at times, and that here works really well. She is the perfect antidote and calming influence on all the other bold, and often ridiculous characters, and Joan gives Dorothy a good measured performance.

In one of the ridiculous, over the top performances is Dave Collins as the pompous, up himself, lawyer Nigel Dewbury. This character doesn't need underplaying, and there definitely isn't any of that going on in Dave’s performance here. This was one of the best performances I have seen from Dave.

The complete opposite is a lovely sweet performance from Monet Page as Steel's daughter Jessica. Her character's obvious love/hate of her father is nicely judged by Monet. Her portrayal was earthy and unpretentious, especially when compared against Jane Collins as the glamorous PR officer to the sponsor with her wonderfully nasally voice and stiletto heels who gave us yet another fabulous characterisation.

Judith Smith as Mary was just delightful as the star-struck B&B owner and enthusiastic amateur player. She squeezed every possible nuance out of her slightly crazy character.
 
Martin Isbister played the ravenous Denis with a strong and convincing accent (probably more Somerset than Suffolk) and  played every comic moment to perfection.

Congratulations to the Director, Dorothy Schofield, for making the most of what is a relatively lightweight story and a script that lacks pace at times.

STARS Stage Manager, Janet Poveda, and her set building team must be congratulated yet again, on creating an extremely accurate representation of  “amateur theatre in the back of beyond. And as always at STARS, the lighting, sound, wardrobe and props team excelled.

There were so many lovely touches in this performance and for anyone who has ever taken part in any form of local or amateur theatre I am sure they could recognise some of the scenarios. Huge congratulations to the cast for a great evening’s entertainment which was both humorous and poignant.

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