An Evening of 3 Coarse Acting Plays

Coarse acting can involve use of inappropriate props and costumes, mis-timed entrances, forgotten lines, collapsing scenery, missed cues and foul-ups with lighting equipment and sound systems. The resulting productions can be tremendously funny and cause uncontrollable mirth among audiences who appreciate it takes considerable practice to get things wrong as well as right. SLT has a reputation for producing high quality drama and their presentation of three coarse acting plays by Michael Green afforded them a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate their skills in this particular genre. Charlotte Shearsby made her directing debut with ‘Present Slaughter’ in which the very accomplished George and Hilary Shields acted out a ‘Noel Coward’ style meeting, ably assisted by other cast members and accompanied by pianist Mary Rudkin, who adopted a somewhat hesitant and repetitive style of playing reminiscent to that of Les Dawson! Pam Edwards directed ‘All’s well that ends as you like it’, vaguely recognisable as a Shakespearean style happening in the forest. Well, something happened in the forest and whatever it was caused much hysteria and tears of laughter. The final play in this trilogy was ’Stalag 69’ in which Craig Pakes made his directing debut and David Malkin his acting debut with the company. This was an hilarious attempt to recreate the experience of a British airman detained for interrogation in a German P.O.W camp which ended in chaos with the collapse of the set. On this showing I feel sure David will be offered other parts in due coarse? Well done all concerned! We may be in a period of austerity but you delivered an abundance of priceless humour.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.