A Change of Heart

Their summer extravaganza, written and directed by Ralph Wiggins, a much enjoyed production of ‘A Change of Heart’. When an entertainment is written specifically for a known company, then all the talents can be exploited to the full, and with the group recruiting new and younger members, then the society just keeps getting better and better and more successful (once again sold-out for run), and the audience just want to feel a part of the ‘fun-evening’, and we know that we shall go home with a very satisfied feel of enjoyment. And as usual a great accompaniment from the live ‘band’.

Once again, I must commend the excellent sets painted with great detail: we could indeed have been in the City of London in the HQ of McDumbo International Food Corporation, and at Linden on Sea (which looked very similar to the streets of Blakeney and the views to the Point) on the quay outside the Queen’s Feet Pub and in Eastgate Street, and also in the garage with that amazing cut-out vehicle which managed the 3-point turn exit. Also congratulations to the wardrobe team for assembling the large number of appropriate costumes.

The big business sequence regarding the balance sheets and the proposed launch of the new ‘veggie burger’ made from samphire harvested from a salt marsh was definitely a take on what must happen in the board-room: liked the MD ‘C.J.’ played by Dave Buckley and his support team which included the irrepressible bodyguard Luigi (played by Peter Franklin with all guns blasting plus the song and dance talents well displayed), and PR specialists Rosie Krantz and Gilbert Stern (Barbara Franklin and Martyn Scott), and the cameo roles of Pooh Curtis and John Ratcliffe in charge of the lift and the vehicle. And not to be overlooked, the seductive and persuasive hypnotist Dr Circe Svengali (Alison Mawson) who transformed the gun-happy Luigi into a ‘Sound of Music’ syncophant bursting with song.

Transfer to Linden on Sea where the locals are not to be persuaded to sell their salt marsh or be taken in by the ‘London lot’, in fact they converted them to a different life with the auditions for the amateur theatricals as directed by the thespian Griph Walsing (Dave Long) in Shakespearean mode.

Throughout the show the multi-talented large cast gave their enthusiasm and energy as they sang and danced (superb tap numbers again) through ‘All that jazz’ (Katie Franklin with girls and taps) to excellent many-part harmony of ‘Linden Lea’ and the various musicals numbers so suited to the moment in the story and chosen with care to suit the cast and whole company: this is the success story of the group and made each of us in the audience wish that we could join the company and be part of this obviously happy and very lively group: congratulations to all concerned in sending everyone home in such a happy and upbeat mood (as expected from a visit to Blakeney and a much anticipated evening).

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