As The Crow Flies

As the Crow Flies 

I was warmly met by Kei at Blackfriars Theatre in the Revue Bar to join the cast, crew, and friends in the first showing of As The Crow Flies.  This imaginative project came from the BPG wanting a creative project during 2021 when we all found ourselves missing performing and being on stage.

This very different project was written by Kei Bailey and Directed by Jo Warrick.  The whole process seemed to me to be story-led and with Kei’s imaginative plot, the film was a runaway success.  Jo told me she enjoyed the challenge of directing for the screen which was very different from that of directing a live performance. Yet she relished the experience and said she had learned a lot along the way.

The story is about a rambling group and their annual scavenger hunt, arranged by their officious leader Hazel, played with dexterity by Colette Buchanan-Gray.  The couples ramble away as we learn a little about their relationships, their hopes and dreams, and the humorous situations they get themselves into.  The bickering mother and son, (Kei Bailey and Pamela Whalley) missing their dog, with hilarious toilet roll moments, the chap looking for extramarital shenanigans only to be thwarted by his wife, (Rachel Pick as long-suffering Anita, Aaron Pettican as the bored workmate Cameron and Matt Barnes as the not so clever Craig.) They end up in a tangle, but the quick-thinking Cheryl saves a relationship, but may yet spoil an impressionable youth!  Aaron’s onscreen persona played well as a typical grumpy gamer. Joanne Moules played a smart sassy character with relaxed confidence. Wendy the man-obsessed friend searching for love created many really funny moments as she (Rachel Rowett) stumbled through the woods whilst swiping left.  The loved-up couple, laughing and enjoying themselves (Melissa and Dan Poulson) was very believable and played with great energy.  Stuart Bull and Abby Johnson were very funny together as Eileen and Seymour Hardcastle, she is doing all the work whilst he read his paper. Each scene brought laughter from the appreciative audience.  I enjoyed the gentle pace and clever moments within the film which were skilfully edited.  I feel Colette has honed her skills since her last project.

A special mention about acting for film as opposed to acting for the stage.  I know it’s a very different process and all the actors on film were fabulous.  The costume, the situations all created a cohesive look.  But a special mention about Rachel Pick. I felt on film she was excellent, the micro-acting (if that’s a thing!), her expressions, little looks, and subtle body language really translated well on the screen.  Looking out of the car window in frustration, frustrations of her friend constantly on her phone, the chemistry she created between characters was superb.

It was lovely to see friends and family taking cameo roles, Stuart Wyle and Otto Von Bisbark, Jo Warrick, Callum Thursby, Lucy Taylor, and Sasha. Also taking part were Paul Gibson, Tabitha Poulson and Xander Poulson all embellished the action with aplomb.

The challenges of performing during a pandemic didn’t seem to spoil the fun the crew had whilst filming.  Callum Thursby the cinematographer had a knack for skillfully capturing the action with limited time, changeable weather, rules about how many people to get together, locations around Lincolnshire, and patience with actors! All thoughtfully managed by the team, well done. Sound was captured by Paul Gibson, a challenge for any outside filming as the outtakes proved. A special mention to Dan Excell who composed and performed the music which enriched the whole film.

We were also treated to the gag reel, which brought the evening to a close.  Thank you for inviting me to see the culmination of all your hard work. Well done.

Jules Jones

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.