A Bunch of Amateurs

I have had the pleasure of visiting the Colwall Players on a number of occasions now, and I am consistently impressed with the amount of talent they have amongst them. I frequently see different names and faces from my previous visits, and this production of A Bunch of Amateurs was no exception.

A Bunch of Amateurs tells the story of a fading Hollywood action hero, Jefferson Steele, who is keen to boost his flagging career. He 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, quite literally, a bunch of amateurs. Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity, and insecurity are tested by the enthusiastic amateur thespians, who are not averse to a spot of ego, vanity, and insecurity themselves. However, the play may be called A Bunch of Amateurs, but the Colwall Players performed with complete professionalism, every actor fully immersed in their character.

Joe Herron played the arrogant American Jefferson Steele with great flair and consistency, nailing the American accent and delivering sarcastic flares with ease. His transformation from a selfish, hardened Hollywood star to a caring, loyal friend and father was beautifully paced. His breakdown in the village hall was well delivered and genuinely heartfelt. The chemistry between Joe's Jefferson and Dianne Lloyd’s Dorothy was palpable, creating some truly touching moments.

Dianne Lloyd, as Dorothy Nettle, gave an outstanding performance, effortlessly anchoring the production. Her calm but firm presence was essential to the story’s emotional depth. Steve Hockett as Nigel Dewbury played the pompous amateur thespian with just the right amount of self-importance, and his rivalry with Jefferson was both amusing and relatable.

Mike Fray as Denis Dobbins brought great characterisation to his role. The eye-gouging scene with the pop-out eyes was particularly memorable and had the audience in stitches. Jane Herron as Mary Plunkett delivered her lines with excellent facial expressions, perfectly capturing Mary's slightly crazed and infatuated admiration for Jefferson.

Anna Byers, as Lauren Bell, showcased her comedic prowess with sharp deadpan delivery. Her dual role as marketing director and physiotherapist added layers to her character, and her physiotherapy scene with Jefferson was both funny and well-executed, a standout moment of physical comedy. Louise Carter, as Jessica Steele, gave a convincing portrayal of Jefferson’s daughter, balancing frustration and deep-rooted affection for her father with sincerity.

Jane Wootton, Pip Barber, and Anne Peden delivered effective cameos as the team of journalists plaguing Jefferson throughout the piece, each adding their own flair to the production.

The set was impressive, with the main location being a run-down village hall that perfectly reflected the struggles of the amateur dramatic society. The apron stage (stage-left) was cleverly used to create a secondary location for Mary’s B&B, providing smooth transitions between scenes.

The direction by Andrew Howie was excellent, ensuring that the pacing remained sharp and the comedy hit all the right notes. Each character felt fully realised, and the emotional arcs were given the space they needed to resonate with the audience.

Once again, I had a very entertaining evening and look forward to my next visit.

Congratulations everyone!

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