A Bunch of Amatuers

In 1889, Oscar Wilde wrote ‘Life imitates art more than art imitates life’. In this play the irony is that both seem true. The premise of A Bunch of Amateurs is that a small amateur theatre group are at risk of losing their theatre due to lack of funds. In real life, Thurrock Courts players are in a similar position; The Thameside Theatre is still under threat of closure and dwindling audiences are having a financial impact on the group.  

This comedy written by Nick Newman and Ian Hislop describes how a failing Suffolk theatre company, The Stratford Players, invite an Hollywood A-lister to help to save them. The problem is the Hollywood A-lister they attract is an egotistical, washed-up, action hero called Jefferson Steele. Jefferson thinks he is going to Stratford upon Avon to join the Royal Shakespeare Company.  So, there are some obvious issues when he finds out that he is not in Warwickshire and is about to perform King Lear with an amateur group in Suffolk.

The role of the director of The Suffolk Players, Dorothy Nettle, was in safe hands with Victoria Grayling. Her heartfelt speech to open the play reflected reality and drew in the audience from the outset. Victoria is a strong actor and held her character beautifully throughout the piece.

Trevor Povey played Jefferson Steele, an arrogant film actor, who has no real understanding of what playing King Lear would mean whether it was in the Royal Shakespeare Company or not! Trevor played the character well despite his imperfect American accent. He played an out of shape aging actor who had no idea of his inadequacies not only as an actor but as a father.

Lily Grayling portrayed Jefferson’s daughter very well. She has a great accent and a depth to her character that showed a skill one would expect from someone older. Jessica Steele set out to spend time with her father because she had to, and as the play developed you saw Lily fitting in with the villagers and eventually beginning to repair her relationship with her father.

The other characters in the Suffolk company were a great mix and reflected well the kind of characters one might expect in an amateur group. I particularly enjoyed the references to the missing cast members, during rehearsals, as it reminded me of rehearsals I have attended.

Jill Snelling played local girl, cast member and B&B owner Mary Plunkett. Mary has a major crush on Jefferson and Jill displayed varying emotions throughout the performance from excitement, flirtation, jealousy, anger and acceptance. Her country accent was held well and added to the comedy, and pathos, of her character.

Michael Southgate played Denis Dobbins to perfection. He is an enthusiastic and energetic cast member who helps with all aspects front and backstage. His attempts at interpreting the eye gouging were hilarious. I understand Michael is a new member to Thurrock Courts and he certainly seems to have the groups’ skill for characterisation.

Michelle Gouldie played Lauren Bell, the wife of the sponsor of the production. She was a strait-laced character who put the cat among the pigeons when Mary walked in on her massaging Jefferson to relieve his pain. Michelle had a very natural approach to her character which worked well.

The final member of the cast of King Lear is Jim Wilkinson who played Nigel Dewbury wonderfully. Jim is a seasoned amateur actor who is extremely irritated that an American has been shipped in to play King Lear, a part that he believes should be his. Jim shows his excellence as an actor at every opportunity with his flowery speeches and his posing. Nigel had a good stage presence and his voice was just perfect as the know-it-all, conceited actor who couldn’t understand how everyone else couldn’t see his talent.

The relationships between the characters are well developed and anyone involved in amateur dramatics will certainly recognise characters and situations. The set was clever; mainly set in the Stratford Company’s theatre but transformed by lighting and sound to an airport, parts of the B&B and the inside and outside of Dorothy’s home. Between the scenes were little Shakespearian ditties that covered the transformation of the stage and were also entertaining. I enjoyed the use of the scenes on trollies that swivelled so both front and back of them could be used.

The cast were complimented by Paul Kinch, Jay Willoughby and other members of Thurrock Courts. As set builders and journalists Paul and Jay were very funny and acted well together. (I loved the scene painting and sniffing the paint)

This production was the perfect marriage of cast, crew and the vision of an experienced and talented director, Vic Gray. There was a depth to the performance created by dynamic use of the stage, grouping, and attention to detail.

Well done Thurrock Courts, I look forward to the next performance and wish you well on the pursuit of keeping The Thameside Theatre alive.

 

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