A Kick in the Baubles

It may be October but for Brackley town, and the Players, Christmas has arrived early with the staging of A Kick in the Baubles by Gordon Steel. 

The script is not one I had come across before, but it was excellent. The play follows a Christmas at the Bailey household, with a small cast – mainly carried by just two characters – setting out an only too “traditional” British family Christmas. The best way in which I can describe Gordon Steel’s creation is that it is the perfect mix of all your favourite TV Christmas Specials – think Gavin and Stacey, the Royle Family, the Vicar of Dibley and other such British classics. What these TV shows do is capture the true essence of the family unit (in all its messy glory) through comedy and that is just what this script does to perfection. But what is special is that woven through the comedy are a number of important messages about the meaning of family, and this is something the audience and I appreciated. 

The production was directed by Lynn Cowley, and what a brilliant job she did. Lynn managed the small cast to a high standard and directed this comedic play just right. I thought the blocking good, the characterisation strong and I could see that she had clearly worked very hard to make her cast shine. One suggestion for the future would be to use your cast to transition your scenes.

The small cast of nine was headed-up by Peter Milne and Amanda Howson as Frank and Jean Bailey respectively. These two talented actors deserve both praise and recognition; the characterisation offered by both was outstanding and the sheer number of lines they had to learn impressed me. Together they created a believable relationship that we all identified with, and it made the entire production even more relatable. I offer all of the supporting cast my warmest congratulations – you all created funny and realistic characters, which I connected with; the part you play in telling this story must not be underestimated. 

The set was a simple but realistic one, and it suited the production very well. The lighting matched the simplistic nature of the set, but nothing more was needed in my opinion. Sound was good throughout. The props and costumes all added to the production. I liked the added touch of sitting the audience at our very own Christmas tables – this gesture contributed to the over all feel. 

I would like to congratulate all concerned on an excellent production of A Kick in the Baubles. I laughed throughout the production in all the right places and for all the right reasons. Well done!   

Thank you for the hospitality shown to my guest and I, and I look forward to seeing your next production.

 

 

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