Bazaar and Rummage

The Dumfries Guild of Players usually perform in the Theatre Royal, Dumfries which is the oldest working theatre in Scotland having been built in 1792. At present the theatre is in course of major renovation which has resulted in the Guild going on tour. They normally have a season of plays running from September to April but this year they have curtailed their programme slightly.

The peformance at the Brigend theatre last night was one of Sue Townsend's, who sadly died this year, plays which tackles issues of importance and in this case mental health. Her acute observations on the problems of agorphobia and those who help are the focus of the play and provided a funny and sometimes poignant evenings entertainment.

Set in the 80's it revolves around a jumble sale set up by volunteer "social worker" Gwenda played by Anne Barbour to help three agoraphobia sufferers to confront their fears. She is assisted by Fliss (Emma Watson) who is a frustrated Social Worker as she cant get access to classes to learn her stuff. The three agorphobics , Katrina (Lynn Cuddihy), Bell-Bell (Anne Aldridge) and Margaret (Andrea Thompson) all have there own issues as to why they became housebound and this is revealed throughout the play and at times is very harrowing.  Katrina, fan of Barry, is a frustrated singer who once had a career in the business, and lets her husband Morris do everything for her. Bell-Bell stays at home since her husband died, and Margaret has been housebound for 15 years after a harrowing experience revealed later in the play.

This is an extremely funny play and all the characters carried out their roles superbly and the author had us all laughing early on so that we wouldnt feel awkward laughing later on when the reasons for the three ladies incarceration become evident. There was some very strong language in this play but it was not offensive and fitted the characterisations portrayed.

Anne Barbour was excellent as Gwenda and her portrayal of the lady in charge who shall not be questioned was super. It was a big part and she was on stage for almost the whole first act and more than half of the second. The three ladies characterisations were all excellent and they carried their roles perfectly throughout the whole performance. Their throw away lines and facial expressions particularly behind Gwenda's back were hilarious. The actions and reactions with and against each other gelled very nicely. As did Emma Watson (Fliss) who in the end has to take charge after Gwenda is ousted. There was a cameo part fo a WPC played by Linda Dickie as a new policewoman let loose on the streets for the first time who is not coping. She played this well for the short time she was on stage.

This play also included a number of songs rewritten from popular tunes and the cast all had very fine voices when they sang individually or together. All have good strong voices and I particularly liked their last rendition which had lovely close harmony. They should sing more!

All in all a very enjoyable nights entertainment. Thany you the Guild.

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