A Bunch of Amateurs

How could Fairlight Players resist such a wonderfully funny written play from Ian Hislop and Nick Newman. A run-down theatre, the keen village thespians trying to keep it alive and inviting an American has-been action man film star to take the opportunity to play the Bard’s King Lear at Stratford.  Sounds good – only the actor thinks this is to be performed at Stratford-upon-Avon not a sleepy village in Suffolk with a bunch of amateurs!

Talented Kerry Gentleman is Dorothy Nettle – Chair of the Stratford Players – appears sweet but  passionate about saving the theatre, hiding a steely determination somehow manages to lure a  washed-up American action man film star who is arrogant, has a huge ego who eventually learns home truths and finds his inner King Lear along the way. She directs the keen members of the group who have to double up in character with much despair at times but eventually succeeds. Very nicely played with a vast amount of script and business interspersed with some lovely vocal verses.

With high expectations Jefferson Steel arrives with Bez Cuss confidently taking on this strong character both physically and wordy –  using very colourful and forceful language, a very big ego, is vane, exposes tantrums, not too hot at remembering lines, certainly a failure as a husband and father has his insecurity tested to the limit but mellows and finds his inner King Lear.  Lola Catt developed the character of his daughter who arrives unexpectedly.  A teenage daughter who has had a difficult upbringing with little respect for Steel initially.  She also accepts a part to play and there is a softening of her heart. Good characterisation from Lola.

Sarah Bragoli was Lauren Bell, lovely in leather, marketing director wife of brewery owner who is the sponsor of their production. Fooled by her appearance she is cultured and bright and not the bimbo as suggested.  A wonderfully timed scene with Jefferson who has put his back out whilst lifting Dorothy Nettle rehearsing the role of Cordelia. Lauren is a physio and appears to be performing some rather salacious treatment observed by Mary Plunkett. This scene was hilarious, and goodness knows how everyone could have kept a straight face during rehearsals!   Mary Plunkett ran the Rectory b & b which didn’t live up to Jefferson’s standards.  She was a great fan of his but never seemed to get the correct film title always another famous actor.  Ita Wise became a jolly, besotted fan, was innately jealous performed terrific facial and suggestive moves, super timing too. The village handy man, a bit slow on the uptake Denis Dobbins  was characterised by Richard Baszczak. Very willing, he agreed to become Steel’s ‘entourage’ thus adding more comedy. I particularly liked his ideas of the gorged eyes solving of the tomato on a fork and then devouring it.  Keith Miller presented Nigel Dewbury as the upstanding solicitor full of pomposity – a stalwart of the company assumed  self-cast as Lear because he always took leading roles so now had his face put out of joint.  Some wonderful cynical lines delivered so cuttingly. He also had a very soft spot for Dorothy. Melodic musical interludes were composed, played and recorded by Keith with members of the cast as The Fool vocalising some delightful Shakespearean ditties with a Hey-ho, the wind and the rain…….. roughly meaning take whatever life throws ……. happens.  Add lots of dead bodies, a dual, plenty of misunderstandings the Players cast gelled perfectly under Charlotte’s thoughtful direction.

Trevor Lewing once again designed and built the set with his team, which really was a half-built village hall stage with a good use of curtaining. Newcomer John Buckle took on the Lighting desk together with Ron Simpson on Sound and Keith added special effects. Jenny Turner provided the numerous props including luggage, scripts, notepads, breakfast tray, umbrella stand, costume box and various. Cast naturally moved furniture and tables. A nice cameo breakfast table scene between Jefferson and his daughter was set downstage. Trevor again was an efficient SM. The Wardrobe department provided character costuming, a good black leather look for Lauren, jeans and T plus black jacket and of course the shades and baseball cap for Jefferson. Perhaps Denis should have changed his camouflage top more often? but he did look resplendent in his blue velvet and wig!  Colourful royal attires, cloaks, a draped throne covering, a crown for the King Lear scene looked effective although the ‘quick’ change for this did slow up the scene opening.

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