Believe

It has been two years since Hey Li’l Man was performed by Phoenix Players an original play written by Baz Stilinski a member of the society. Two years later and Phoenix Players performed another world premier once again written and directed Baz.

Before the play commenced several cast members mingled with the audience in the bar. These characters primarily formed smaller roles during the play itself.

Opening during a church service we were introduced to Jamie played effectively by Aaron O’Mahony and the local vicar played as one often expects to see by Stephen Peet.

We are now let into the secret of the new neighbours as Jamie tells of angels moving in.

Marcus an atheist (Jamie’s brother) was played with great conviction and thought by Andrew Moran. His childhood friend Callum (now an angel) played by Luke McDonald gave a strong performance as the Christian out to protect his atheist friend. Both need congratulating on their performance.

Fellow ‘angels’ were Andi Hardy as Mrs Traherne, Chloe McDonald as Laila and Maddy Williams as Salina who brought out some humour and worked well together as they tried to convince their neighbours they were a functioning family.

Meanwhile working on the darker side also trying to recruit Marcus were Hannah Perrin and Lisa Cowley as Angel of Death and her P.A. The pair worked well together in their scenes.

Just before the interval the family realised Callum was in fact dead and yet there, he was right in front of them when they saw an announcement on the television news. This scene was particularly well done by all on stage including Karen McDonald as Sara and Fiona Robson as Betty play the Mum and Grandmother of Marcus and Jamie.

Tension gathered when we began to realise how Callum had come to his end. All started with the arrival of Callum’s parents played by Nick Johnson and Stacey Warner to see Marcus. This was well delivered as the audience were, I believe, just ahead of what was unfolding before us. Callum realised the danger Marcus was in as the awful truth began to dawn. This was particularly well acted by both Andrew and Luke as well as the evil side of both parents. 

This was most certainly an interesting play and one with many good ideas. As with all new plays with some further exploration and thought of what worked well. While drawing on the strengths this piece could have further airings ahead of it. This was not an easy subject matter and it had not been performed previously in order to find the different shades of reaction required within a piece of drama such as this one. 

Well done for taking on a new piece of work. It was a shame more people did not come along and see it as it was clear a great deal of time was devoted into preparing and performing it.

I look forward to hearing about the 2020 programme for Phoenix Players.

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