A Bunch of Amateurs

We were welcomed into a world, where a village amateur dramatic society, Stratford St John Players, get a famous American actor, Jefferson Steel toperform the lead role in their production of King Lear.Jefferson arrives withalong listed rider which director, Dorothy Nettle, interprets imaginatively.Dorothy was played well with clear, loud diction, manipulatingJefferson into the performance. 

Mary Plunkett, the owner of the B&B, had a crush on Jefferson, havingseenhim in many films, but naming the wrong ones. She had some good facial expressions and acted her part well. 

Nigel Dewbury, the pompous solicitor, who felt it was his right to be KingLear,was played well with some great comedy lines. 

There were some nice touches with actors using the auditoriumat times, keeping it interesting for the audience. The scenery was basic but effectivewith a table and chairs for the B&B, the thrones for King Lear and a bedfor Jefferson’s bedroom. A lovely comedic moment, when Lauren, the physio, ismassaging Jefferson’s back and Mary thinks she has seen something moreseedy. 

Denis Dobbins, the village handyman had fun as a chauffeur of a limousinedisguised as a mobility scooter.Jefferson’s daughter Jessica had no patiencewith her father’s lack of commitment to the play but later reconciledher differences with him. 

The audience enjoyed the production with plenty of laughter. I did feel it lacked a bit of pace and some characters forgot their lines. So may be another week of rehearsal would have produced a more polished performance.

Costumes were OK.

Well done to all the cast and crew for a nice performance. Thank you so much for inviting me and I look forward to your next production.

 

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