A Bunch of Amateurs

I have seen this play from Ian Hislop and Nick Newman several times and the slant of humour varies but each time the audience has a good laugh and certainly this responsive audience really enjoyed the evening and reacted to the action.

The Coronation Hall was the ideal setting for the village hall rehearsal room, settings and props were all in good order (newspaper particularly good). There was really good use of space and the use of the whole hall, not just the stage area included the audience in the action.

Director Neil Ellson used the stage well for the action from the actors. It was well cast with some good performances. With an outstanding personality and overpowering stage presence, the ‘has been’ Hollywood star, Jefferson Steele, showed his strength and his vulnerability as he realised that ordinary village people also had character and standards, this was a great role for John Bull.

Opposite him and trying to control the production was Jenny Wilks as Dorothy.   This was a major part in this comedy, a good portrayal and strong character throughout. As the unfortunate Nigel, who lost the plum role, Ryan Armstrong showed all the disappointment and pettiness, with a great portrayal of a previous leading man. Gillian Davidson as Mary, really pushed her role with the crush on the Hollywood star and adoration which turned to disappointment, and then there was her action in Lear.

John King, as Dennis, had some varied and well-timed comedy aspects as the handyman and with multiple parts within the play.   I loved his little cameo snatches with the ‘eyes’ (much enjoyed by the audience). The sponsor’s wife Lauren (Cerian Ellson) showed personality and strength of purpose as she pursued the story and her relationship with the Hollywood star.  Millie Rogers, as daughter Jessica, gave a very sympathetic but strong relationship to the star as she tried so hard to complete this production and the final twist with her collapse and the retrieval was so well realised and rounded off the whole action in style.

A very good evenings entertainment.

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