Amateur Rites

Local amateur dramatic societies are made up of individuals with varying ages, abilities and personalities. This comedy gives us an eclectic mix of characters putting on a production in the local village hall. The set was the rehearsal room in the said village hall and  this was achieved by the simple and effective use of fold-up tables, metal chairs and mother and toddler notices around the walls.

We met the members of Pogchurch Valley Amateur Dramatic Society one or two at a time as they arrived for the rehearsal. Kate (Suzanne Millar) an older stalwart member who was part of the establishment. Liz (Karen Franklin) the new director who was of the ilk “a new broom sweeps clean”. Flicka (Carol Clark) - a very willing person but with little confidence in herself and rather ethereal. Next in are Virginia and Bernie. Virginia (Carolyn Cumber) Is the former director who is very put out because she is not in charge this time, the reason being that her husband Bernie (Colin Bolton) had been ill. The illness had been briefer than expected so she had agreed to take a part under the direction of the new lady. Bernie is an extremely nervous eccentric person but nevertheless quite clever. Rob (George Lake) the transsexual arrives - he is quiet and reserved but gets upset very easily. Husband and wife Alistair and Dawn are next. Alistair (Jamie Crow) is their regular leading man because he can act really well - but not so Dawn (Kellie Aylward) who was very wooden. (Dawn NOT Kellie)! The last cast member is Holly (Meg Lake) - a young insecure lady who was into internet dating and had many negative feelings about herself. Casting for all of the characters and their personalities was well achieved.

Apart from Rob who tended to drop his voice at the end of his lines, the dialogue was slick, easily heard and the plot and two sub-plots easy to follow. Despite the bickering between the former and the current directors, the play goes ahead and is yet another triumph for Pogchurch.

There seemed little to do on the technical side but the lights and mobile phone ringing were accurate and well-timed.

The director (Sue Duncan) can take credit for plenty of movement and much inter-reaction between all the characters. 

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