Ben Hur

The story follows an amateur theatre troupe, as they produce the massive tale of the fictional Jewish prince and merchant Judah Ben-Hur. He falls to galley slave and rises to champion charioteer within Jerusalem during the life of Jesus Christ, while the actors struggle along through the pieces as rivalries form and offstage romances interfere, complete with chariot race, sea battle, and stage combat.

Director Tracey Briggs, and Assistant Director, Mark Kilburn-Stones, have to be congratulated for directing a brilliant and very hilarious production, with an excellent cast.

Just four actors perform a multitude of characters, too many to mention them all. Changing accents, characterizations, costumes and wigs, with all these changes so did the plot, the timing was incredibly.  The cast were superb, with every member giving a truly first class and very professional performances.

George Glasby as David Veil, the owner of the amateur theatre group and Judah Ben Hur, plus two other characters, Brandon Mullins as Omar Lord, including an additional nine characters.   Neil Mather as Edgar T Chesterfield and seven other characters of which two performed as the same time.  Beckie Coupe as Crystal Singer with eight other characters to perform, as times some of these characters were talking to each other.    The pace of the dialogue and diction  was excellent all the way through the production.  The cast were very confident with roles, no matter which character they were performing.  Brilliant performances from these four actors.

Praise also should go to the wardrobe team who had to work like Trojans to ensure that the cast had the correct costumes on at the right time.  Likewise praise to the stage crew for their intentional appearances.  The set, props, lighting and sound were well thought out, and worked very well, truly gave the appearance of ancient Rome.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this production, which had the audience in fits of laughter. Thank you to Phoenix Players for a great evening and hospitality.

Good Luck and success to Brandon Mullins, and George Glasby as these two talented  young people commencing acting degrees in September.

 

 

 

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