Act Your Age

It’s not often that an amateur group can expect a visit from the writer of their chosen production but I am sure that Christopher Wortley will not have been disappointed with this production of his musical farce.

The writer has had a long involvement with amateur societies and realised that groups whose members are mainly ladies of a certain age and in which men are somewhat fewer in number can find it difficult to find a suitable show.  As this group falls into such a category, this proved an excellent choice and the cast made the most of the fun and farcical situations, none of which could have been easy in the very limited space at their disposal.  The songs to a piano accompaniment were varied in style, including a patter song reminiscent of Gilbert and Sullivan. This and several others, whilst pleasing to the ear, did not suggest that the music was particularly easy to perform but the cast handled them well.    

The plot, like most farces, cannot really be summarised easily but suffice it to say that it centres around a relaxation clinic for would-be celebrities which, through an emergency at a neighbouring old people’s home, also becomes a refuge for its elderly residents.  There are the usual mistaken identities and an amusing and carefully choreographed routine which relies on discreetly placed items in order to protect the modesty of certain characters entering and leaving the sauna. 

The show was a new one to me but it does live up to the writer’s claim to allow several members to have principal parts and all of them were well cast and directed.  This was the first production following the merger of Wetherby MTG with the Wetherby and Linton Drama Group and, from the combined resources now at their disposal, I am sure we can look forward to further entertaining evenings.             

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.