All By Myself

Performed as part of the Sedgefield Drama Festival and hosted by The Sedgefield Players, this production was a real treat from start to finish. 'All By Myself' tells the story of Larry, who after his shipwreck, spends 7 years alone on an island. The story starts with the audience meeting Larry who has been driven to the edge of sanity, but that's nothing compared to the shock of discovering he is not and never has been alone on the island! The audience were quickly drawn in to the story by David Stothard's (Larry) as he opened the piece with his longing for company. The cast’s reacting and comic timing were spot-on, Amanda Stewart's (Nicolson) and Jess Collom's (Miller) facial expressions were very amusing throughout. The awkward 30 seconds silence, in particular, was handled with brilliant precision—not rushed or overplayed—and kept everyone giggling throughout. Ruth Stapleton's (Pemberton) instinctive comic ability to land that silence at exactly the right moment deserves a special mention; her timing was flawless and very funny.

The production also made excellent use of the space, with entrances and exits used creatively —including a delightful surprise reveal from within the audience itself, executed brilliantly by Emma Westwood (Ashworth). The set was simple yet functional, neatly dressing the stage without distracting from the performances. A well-constructed soundscape supported the piece throughout, helping to establish atmosphere and location with subtle believability. The performers clearly defined the imagined world of the play: we knew where the beach, sea, and trees were, and every actor referred to these areas with clarity and consistency. This gave the piece a strong sense of place despite its minimal staging. A clear and strong choice by director Emma Westwood. The pacing was brisk and engaging, leaving the audience wanting more. Personally, I could happily have watched the piece run longer. The comedy sparkled throughout, thanks to sharp timing and full commitment from every performer. Well done to all of the production team.

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