A Bunch of Amateurs

Congratulations to Richard Wilshaw, the cast and members of Rotherham Rep Company yet again they have produced a most excellent work; this time with “A Bunch of Amateurs”. It is obvious that a lot of hard work, many rehearsals and much thought has gone into this very funny production. The direction, acting and technicalities provide the necessary pace from the start of the first act to the final curtain call to make this production a success.  

The seven actors were terrific and perfectly matched and played their characters with confidence and great characterisation. With copious amounts of dialogue, and accents to those from Shakespeare’s “King Lear”. This and the movement around the scenes were outstanding and the cast manoeuvred with ease the chairs and props denoting scene changes and sang Elizabethan ballads to progress the change in time.

A group of amateur actors from the Stratford St John Players perform in a converted barn in the village and they are looking forward to performing the famous play “King Lear” by William Shakespeare. However, things are not going to plan as the few members each have to take on numerous roles. Their director Dorothy Nettle, played brilliantly by Naomi Deaville, has large amounts of dialogue to deliver. Dorothy constantly encourages the cast to keep up their enthusiasm but to ensure that the company doesn’t close they need a famous actor to give the production a boost. 

Enter the famous and egotistical American film star Jefferson Steele, who thinks he is to perform in Stratford-on-Avon at the famous Shakespeare Theatre. A lot of misunderstandings and very funny scenes arise and as time moves on, we see Jefferson changing into a more loveable person. Danny Stewart was amazing in this role with a very good American accent and boundless energy he very rarely left the stage. However, some members of Stratford St John Players take an instance dislike to Jefferson, or, in the case of Mary Plunkett, the complete opposite and she falls madly in love with him. Fiona Broadhead was fantastic in this role and her comic timing; body language and facial expression was just brilliant. So many times, she had the audience in fits of laughter. The “leading man” in the drama group is the arrogant Nigel Dewbury who thinks he is the best actor in the world and should have been taking the role of King Lear. Dewbury dislikes Jefferson from the start and goes out of his way to let him know. Mark Hone was marvellous in this role. A great performance also from Jack O’Boyle as Denis Dobbins who does all the non-acting jobs for the group, as well as any other roles that need to be filled.   

Things are not going to Jefferson Steele’s plan and to add to his troubles his daughter Jessica Steele, an aspiring actress, suddenly arrives. Regrettably he doesn’t get on with her all that well. Lily Wright was splendid in this role with scenes with her father ranging from displays of anger to warming towards him; all this coming from when they played their characters from King Lear.

When a local brewery heard that a film star was joining the company, they agree to sponsor them and a member of the family, Lauren Bell, joins in with the excitement. Leah Keys was spot-on and gave this larger-than-life character the correct euphemisms and bounce needed. Especially in the scene with Jefferson when she uses her skill as a physiotherapist to release a back pain Jefferson had sustained. This scene was watched but totally misunderstood by Mary leading to more trouble for Jefferson.  

As the play progresses many misunderstandings occur causing fall-out with some of the cast, but, as they say, “All’s Well That Ends Well” and they manage to perform the play. With amazing speed, the cast change into Shakespearean costumes to perform scenes from “King Lear”. This was just hilarious, especially with some malfunctioning costumes and the over-the-top acting all adding to the fun.

Again, congratulations to all the members of Rotherham Rep for a great production. The set was well thought-out and crafted for maximum effect and the lighting, sound effects and costumes all enhanced the character and atmosphere of the production.

Thank you for the invite and an evening much enjoyed by ourselves and the whole audience. Thank you for making us laugh out loud.  

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