A Bunch Of Amateurs

What would happen if a washed-up Hollywood actor came to England to take on the role of King Lear genuinely believing that he was to perform at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, only to find out that his agent has tricked him by sending him to a small town amateur dramatic society in Suffolk called the Stratford Players?  This is the comedy of errors that make up the story of A Bunch of Amateurs.  The play is written by Ian Hislop (best known for being a regular panelist on satirical TV show Have I got News for You?) and Nick Newman and is directed by Malcolm Tresadern.

Things are not going well for the Stratford Players. They are reduced to only a few members and under threat of closure. Their director is Dorothy Nettle (Anna Maria Vesey) a no-nonsense, slightly frumpy woman who has a passion for the bard.  She has to negotiate and manage the thespian tantrums particularly from Nigel Dewberry (Jerry Smith) a cravat wearing, old-style Shakespearian actor who is quick to learn his lines especially those of King Lear a role he has always yearned to play.  Mary Plunkett (Adele Simpson) is the actress who always has to double up on parts (although curiously they all have the same accent!) she is also the landlady of the local B&B. Finally, Dennis Dobbins, a jack of all trades dressed in paint-stained overalls, obsessed with health and safety and not averse to donning a frock. 

Dorothy in desperation has contacted lots of agencies in a last-ditch attempt to secure a celebrity to boost their production and is delighted when Jefferson Steele (Magnus Moorhouse), a famous Hollywood actor sent to England to play King Lear, was brought to life brilliantly by Magnus. As a newcomer to the group, he was a delight to watch, maintaining a convincing American accent throughout. His expressive facial reactions and confident body language often told the story as effectively as the dialogue itself. A very credible and engaging performance, and one that leaves me looking forward to seeing him in future productions.

I liked the use of the projector screen to create a realistic news report featuring Jefferson arriving in his private plane being greeted by TV reporter played by David Eldridge and in the studio a very convincing role as newsreader from Elaine Barrett. The video was well produced with sound effects and flashing cameras to add authenticity. 

Jefferson Steele is the worst kind of Hollywood actor. He is brash, rude and egotistical calling himself ‘the American James Bond’ and once he finds out that he will not be treading the boards in the bard’s hometown, sparks begin to fly especially when Dennis snatches away his cigar citing no smoking in the rehearsal room and Nigel shakes the swear box at every expletive.  

Things come to head as a clash of cultures between Nigel and Jefferson nearly comes to blows as he insults the British actors and the bard himself, turning into a battle of egos and differing acting styles. When Jessica Steele (Nina Wilson-Razzell) Jefferson’s estranged daughter enters, the stage is set for art imitating life as she angrily tells him that he should have met her at the airport.  This is the true King Lear story as Jefferson has to rebuild his relationship with Jessica and win back her trust. 

Despite being an actor, Jefferson is not cut-out to be a Shakespearian performer and is horrified at the immense number of lines he has to learn.  In one hilarious scene he has his lines pinned to Dennis’ back and in another an earpiece feeding him his lines which gets interference from a local taxi service. 

Jessica joins as prompt against her father’s wishes and while Jefferson is lifting the dead body of Lear’s daughter Cordelia played by Dorothy, he gets a back spasm and has some restorative physio from Lauren (Natasha Lowes) the Publicity campaigner and put-upon wife of the Stratford Players’ sponsor Colin. 

This is where the gossip starts as Mary catches Jefferson and Lauren in what she believes to be a sexual act as Lauren straddles Jefferson on the massage couch and her heart crushed Mary resigns from the Players.  

Newspaper headlines the next day announce the ‘Saucy Suffolk Sex Romp’ with Lauren, prompting a furious Colin to withdraw his sponsorship and doom the Stratford Players to bring the curtain down. But is Jefferson an innocent victim or is he up to his old bad boy tricks?  Can Dorothy resurrect the Players and will Jefferson be finally reconciled with his daughter realising that being a part of ‘a bunch of amateurs’ is not a bad thing to be.

Lots of wonderful scenes with a rehearsal room so accurate it was like watching a real-life rehearsal! I particularly liked the scene where an absent cast member joined in the rehearsal through Dorothy’s iPad saying his lines by the power of Zoom. 

Another lovely scene was where Jefferson, echoing his dramatic role, is driven to the point of madness after losing everything and then ignominiously drenched in water from the overhead sprinklers. 

The final play performed by the Players was very good and each cast member performed brilliantly excerpts from King Lear coping well with the complex cadence of Shakespearian prose.  

Musical interludes were provided by the Fool (Alex Wilson-Razzell) in full motley and turned up boots playing a mandolin.  This was a very ingenious device which covered the scene changes by providing entertainment.  Alex had also written the music to the pieces, and the lyrics were taken from King Lear. 

Adele Simpson as Mary Plunkett played her part well simpering and gushing with starstruck awe as she hilariously kept mixing up Jefferson with other famous actors. Her horror and subsequent jealousy when she uncovers an apparent affair between Lauren and Jefferson was very funny as she behaved frostily towards him her dreams crushed. 

Jerry Smith was wonderful as the pompous camp old lovey Nigel, a distillation of every well-known British actor, with his flowery language and facial expressions were overacted to the point of panto, he didn’t just ham it up he delivered the whole pig! I loved his over-the-top mannerisms as, Iago style, he manipulated and schemed behind the scenes in his jealous bid to secure the part of King Lear.  His clash with Jefferson over pronunciation of ass/arse hole and their duel with a wooden sword and rolled up umbrella was hilarious.  

Ben Chaves played a lovely part as naïve winsome Dennis hero worshipping Jefferson becoming his entourage only to have his dreams shattered by a bitter betrayal. Dennis showed good comic timing reacting to everything with a broad grin. I loved his realistic props as he tried to create a gruesome special effect using ping pong balls and a pickled onion on a fork for eyeballs.

Natasha Lowes was perfect as the put upon Publicity Campaigner prevented from following her passions for physiotherapy by her controlling husband and falsely accused of a liaison with Jefferson.  Her scene with him as she gave him a full body massage was very funny.  She also had a part in King Lear playing Goneril which she performed well. 

Nina Wilson-Razzell, was pitch perfect as Jefferson’s estranged daughter Jessica keeping her convincing accent throughout, she had a stormy relationship with her father although underneath she was desperate for his love and attention. Jessica was fragile but headstrong and I loved the way their relationship grew and developed.  Her disappointment when she thought he had slept with Lauren, highlighted with powerful facial expressions, showed the hurt she was feeling inside that he had let her down again. 

Anna Maria Vesey was excellent as the harassed director trying desperately to keep her beloved am dram group afloat, physically bristling with every slur from Jefferson.  She was the glue holding it all together and I loved the way her voice changed as she dealt with the varying egos as she struggled to keep them all in harmony.   Her biting sarcasm aimed at Jefferson was wonderful to watch as she showed him she would not stand for his shenanigans. I loved the way she gradually softened towards him gently letting her hair down literally as she started to see the real man behind the stardom and all his hidden vulnerabilities. The way she said the word ‘sexaholic’ was hilarious. 

The set design was simple but effective with a swing out panel for the Bed and Breakfast scene and use of curtains to separate other scenes. I liked the attention to detail such as the labels on the bottles of beer and the authentic noticeboard and posters on the wall. Also, wine and real food in the take-away boxes all consumed on stage while the actors were talking. Costumes were in keeping with each character such as a leather jacket and checked shirt for Jefferson, American themed T-shirts for Jessica and the Stratford Players cast T-shirts. The Shakespearian costumes were traditional and in sumptuous furs and velvets. 

Well done to the amazing backstage crew who have worked tirelessly before and during the show to create props and scenery.  Also, to the special effects and lighting team which all added extra authenticity to the show. 

It was lovely to chat to the cast and crew after the performance and the director Malcolm about his creation and vision for the show - it was obvious that the cast have had lots of fun performing it. 

The programme created by Natasha Lowes is eligible for the poster and programme competition and will be entered next year’s competition. 

Well done Horncastle Theatre Company, I look forward to your next show The Girl on the Train in September. 

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