Audacity

This was a very polished production that generated strong ticket sales, I’m pleased to say.  The play was cleverly directed with great attention to detail and finely interpreted both in style and format with just enough activity taking place on a well constructed set that was furnished according to its use being a rented flat that was obviously not lived in. Audacity, written by Simon Maudsley, is the story of a man who has a great idea that he and two cronies, all in need of cash, would set up and execute a robbery from an up market department store. The first two scenes in act one cover a month in November where the three ‘would be’ criminals plan the upcoming heist. The last five to ten minutes of act one was given over to the two wives talking to each-other over the phone trying to work out exactly what their husbands were plotting. Act one was very demanding for the men as that part of the play was very wordy but all three of them worked hard building ‘life’ into the scenes. Act two consisted of two scenes, one before the robbery and the second after the event.  The women showed their worth in this half, exploiting good contrast between their personalities and, like all good dramas, the ‘twist in the tail’ made for an excellent finish to the story.

All three men, John Lamude (Philip), Roy Stevens (John) and Dave Holden (Dave) portrayed their very different characters exceptionally well.  All showed the different affects that an unhappy marriage and a shortage of money had had on their lives. Philip was the brains behind the scheme with his cleverly thought out plan of attack.  He didn’t have a wife but obviously had plans for his new found wealth. He was cool, thoughtful and new exactly where he was going. He showed good continuity with excellent use of pauses. John on the other hand was a bit of a wimp. He was still devoted to his wife, found it difficult to make rational decisions and lacked spunk giving in to indecision at even the smallest of problems. Dave on the other hand was a tough guy, a gambler with very little patience and a user of pretty foul language. Lyndsey Kite, (Dave’s wife, Gemma), took over the stage whenever she appeared. She was a powerful presence to be contended with knowing where she was going with no intention of giving in to anyone. Samantha Merrick (Gillian, John’s wife), was just the opposite. She loved her husband despite his faults and weaknesses and was determined to stick by him through thick and thin. All five of this cast are to be truly congratulated.  Bob Wakelin must be very proud of everyone both on and off stage for achieving such a high standard.

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