All In Good Time

The Marco Players having lost their theatre venue are like travelling players at the moment. Reminding me of Bertolt Brecht fleeing to Germany, having had his citizenship removed he went to Scandinavia and then to the United States. He never stopped writing or putting on shows - sometimes in people’s living rooms. His ideas were and still are very influential. All In Good Time was performed in St Peter’s Church, Halliwell - a community space that was well utilised. Bill Naughton - well known for Alfie and Spring & Port Wine - became synonymous with the ‘kitchen sink’ dramatisations. The film version of All In Good Time had the title The Family Way and starred Hayley Mills, John Mills and Hywel Bennett.

The cluttered set here help set the scene with raised area at the back depicting the bedroom, with double bed, blanket box at the foot of the bed, old fashioned record player and wicker privacy screen. Below was the living room of the Fittons, set for the wedding celebrations with centre table, table cloth and various cups and saucers. Stage Left was a small table with chequered table cloth and beer keg. Stage Right an armchair and various wooden chairs around the set. A small footstool Downstage Right. At the back a bureau with drinks and radio. Set build Paul Roberts and members of The Marco Players. Props looked all in keeping with endless cups of tea. Properties by Peter Haslam, Joyce Smith and Carolyn Haslam. Lighting and Sound all added to the atmosphere and the effect of Mr Fitton using the chamber pot may stay with me a long time (!). Lighting Matt Cocker and Sound Christine Brooks. Wardrobe was all in keeping done by Janet Hardman.

The Director was Ben Latham who states in the programme that he has appeared in the play more than once. With the unconventional setting of the altar space in the church, the set was well thought out and worked. We as the audience, were able to suspend disbelief and enter into the world of the Fittons and Pipers. The space was used well and the characters interacted well with each other. Some great facial expression and non-verbal cues were used. At the heart of the play are families and what makes them tick and all the intricacy which comes into play as they navigate life and changes to the status quo. There were a couple of prompts which were quickly picked up on so the action could carry on. Ben also takes on the role of Joe Thompson the cocky boss of Arthur who pranks Arthur on his wedding night leading to a big upset in the marital bedroom, as well as the dismantled bed itself. He doesn’t stop there and cannot hold his tongue when news gets out of the newlyweds’ delayed consummation. Enter Joe’s wife Molly, played by Lisa Barlow. Hilarious! She soon puts him in his place and Joe’s boasting about what he could do for Arthur’s wife is soon put to rest with the line “You couldn’t do a job for our cat!” delivered just right.

Dan Ryan plays Violet’s Uncle Fred Stansfield. Despite only being a physiotherapist is looked on in the family as able to help out with all things medical - even marriage guidance. Jason Taylor plays Eddie Taylor, Arthur’s friend and colleague who is witness to the prank. I liked how he straightened the brides veil on the bed which gave a feel that he felt uncomfortable. Ash Foster played Arthur’s brother Geoffrey Fitton, who develops an almost competitively close relationship with Violet - good energy on stage.

Chris Dunn played Violet’s father Leslie Piper - I really like his interpretation of Leslie and his relationship with his daughter. Not quite the henpecked husband as he did have some spark against his jealous wife Liz Piper played by the capable Catherine Bland. Some great non-verbal moments played out and we knew exactly what she was thinking and a good foil for Leslie.

Lucy Fitton was played by Lisa Oldbury and Martin Pearce played Ezra Fitton. Lots of revelations and it swung from emasculating the men to the asides the men make at the women’s expense. A woman with a secret and a man who cannot connect with his son.

Kelsie Partington played the bride Violet Fitton living with her in laws and being able to hear everything in the house is not ideal. Kelsie worked well with Connor Beckwith who played Arthur Fitton. I thought they had a good chemistry and the relationship was believable. Connor did a great job of playing the worried newlywed and the son not able to make a connection with his father. Pitched just right.  Lovely scene between Connor and Martin at the end.

Thank you for the invite and hospitality from my guest Matthew and I. I do not know of your plans to secure another theatre but to say I am enjoying following your ventures. “Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are” Bertolt Brecht

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5 Rep

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