A Matter of Life and Death

Nunthorpe Players have been an active group for many years.  It is with great pleasure that we welcome them into the NODA family.

A Matter of Life and Death is an adaptation for the stage of the original screenplay by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger by the Players’ director, Bill Colombi.  It was a great privilege to be at this play’s premier.

Not having seen the film nor been aware of the story, it took a little while to get to grips with changing from ‘the here and now’ to ‘the other world’.  Charlie Jukes portrayed June with great warmth and understanding from the outset in her communications with the Lancaster bomber cockpit.  Matt Hermon had us all on the edge of our seats, as Captain Peter Carter, in what he thought would be his last words on this earth as he prepared to die.  The inevitable happened and the Lancaster crashed, but Captain Peter Carter did not die. We then meet Conductor 71, the link between this life and the next.  Carol Daly gave a stunning performance in this quirky role. She maintained this strong but understanding character hroughout with a lovely French accent.  George Collins gave good support as the local doctor and, after his death in a road accident, the advocate to Peter Carter in the Court Room drama in ‘the hereafter’.

The main principals were supported by a fine team playing many different roles in this world and the next.  A very plain but unusual set enabled the changes between the two worlds to happen with no disruption to the story.  Bill Colombi should not only proud of this fine production, but also of giving us this premier.

A warm welcome was given to both my wife and me at our first visit to the Nunthorpe Players, and a relaxed cafe style environment helped to set the right mood.  The short film while we prepared for the curtain to rise gave a good insight into the work of the Nunthorpe Players.  It was obvious a lot of work had gone into promoting the group.  Well done to all concerned.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.