A Bunch of Amateurs

Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero, Jefferson Steele, arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard but a sleepy Suffolk village and the cast are a bunch of amateurs, in desperate need to save their Hall from closure.

The central character ‘Jefferson’, is played with great strength and presence by newcomer Matt Carter, convincingly displaying a monstrous ego insisting on all the perks he once enjoyed as a star. His agent is unable to extract him from his contract and the national publicity that went with this apparent gesture to help save the village hall, begrudgingly continues, albeit at first struggling to learn his lines, demonstrating an underlying fragility.

He is not the only one with a dash of ego, as ‘Nigel’ one of the amateur cast clearly felt he should be playing King Lear to fulfil a life time’s wish. Ben Wilson played the role for all it was worth with some great diction and timing. Some good comedy too from Graham Ringrose who played ‘Denis’ the local handyman and village ‘Fix it’ who takes a shining to Jefferson and fancied heading up his entourage of one.

Trying desperately to keep the cast together is director ‘Dorothy’. Christine Kislak displayed her accommodating manner, not without some determination, very well.  Great support too from Penny Sant, who as ‘Mary Plunkett’ is completely struck by Jefferson, provides bed and breakfast for him, amusingly gets totally confused about his previous film roles and overestimates his affection for her.

Backing up this opening night performance were Jude Sanderson as ‘Lauren’ the marketing executive whose former career as a physiotherapist almost gets her into trouble with Jefferson and Casey Benson, as ‘Jessica Steele’, Jefferson’s daughter, previously neglected by her Father seeks to catch up with him with vengeance on her mind. Both Jude and Casey were convincing in their roles.                                                                                                                   

The set was well built and included The Barn Theatre,  an airport pressroom, Mary’s B&B and a bedroom. Some scene changes were supported by some of the cast singing further Shakespearian lines and with some clever music during the interval, the audience were served with some excellent refreshments at their tables. The production was supported by some well- timed sound effects including one when an absent cast member joined the rehearsal via an ipad and the lighting was also very effective.

This was a strong opening night, well directed by Tim Wilson. Thank you again for your warm welcome and hospitality.

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