A Bunch of Amateurs

We picture an old empty barn and a local amdram group looking for cast for their upcoming production of King Lear. Also for a sponsor to keep their little theatre open.. Not being able to find a lead actor or a sponsor, until an unlikely American superstar turns up, thinking he was at Stratford to get into some Shakespeare.  How wrong could he and his fellow actors be. 

RaTs you have hit the nail on the head with this piece of theatre!

Being in amdram myself for nearly 60 years, and now the president of my society, (that’s what happens when one gets old) I have lived through it all. You got it so right in your recent comedy A Bunch of Amateurs. I would say a bit drastic at times, but yes, the format was spot on. Each one of you in this production had your own character going on. Some were a little slow at times, but you all were there for each other and that’s what amdrams are about, the camaraderie amongst all. A great set which was changed in super quick time in the capable hands of Stage Manager Ian West. Everyday costumes as would be from RaTs in period.. 

Cast members were seven very adequate actors. Kathey West as Dorothy, Neil Balderston as Nigel, Jill Balderston as Mary, Andrew Manktelow as Denis, Darren Hammock as Jefferson, Alison Lewin as Lauren, Katherine Hasall as Jessica. Should I say all have been there before, and it showed, by their commitment to the charterers they portrayed…they certainly bounced off each other.

Direction by Steve Berry was well thought through and executed well by the cast. My only dislike was the ditties between set changes, was I missing something?  It certainly brought me back to good and bad times in amdrams, but where would we be without local community theatre (I hate the saying amdrams). Those actors portraying bad acting and getting it wrong purposely (difficult to do, it’s like singing out of key - not easy) - well done to all in A Bunch of Amateurs. You weren’t amateur at all! Sir Ken and Dame Jude would be proud of you all.

Nice informative programme and a nice cup of tea - now that’s theatre. Keep up the good work RaTs and keep community theatre to a high standard.

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