Battle of the Age bands

The idea behind Quince Players’ Battle of Age-bands is both innovative and clever and the cast throw themselves with bags of energy and a patently obvious sense of enjoyment into the eclectic mix of music, sketches, and monologues. It provides an opportunity to showcase the younger society members outside of the annual pantomime and  the individual talents of different members as they play multiple roles in the sketches.

The sense of a “battle” could have been developed more with a stronger chairman role rather than offstage announcements of each sketch and maybe some sort of progress check of who was winning the battle. Another important element in the concept was clearly to allow members to write their own material which not only saves royalties but also develops their skill. However, the challenge is taking a witty or interesting idea and writing a sketch that sustains audience interest and delivers plenty of laughs and this often requires multiple drafts to refine and test the material. Some of the sketches felt like they needed sharpening up, editing or strengthening the punchlines to really deliver on the promise of the idea. Nevertheless, the cast work very hard to make the most of the scripts they are given.

The best of the material was a very well written spoof on the TV series Line of Duty with an interview investigating a crime involving an undercover operation with Pantomime characters called “After the Panto’s over”.  Not many of the other sketches reached this consistent standard although each had its moment.

This felt an uneven battle, the Juniors were always going to win with their cheeky charm, bags of energy and happy smiles. It was a clever idea to stage this show to encourage and develop the younger performers and no doubt the family connections swelled the audiences to make it a good fund-raising show. 

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