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 Colin Udall has to be congratulated for directing a brilliant and very hilarious production, with an excellent cast.

Just four actors as the main principals, 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.

Playing the characters were Richard Nicholls as David Veil, the owner of the amateur theatre group and Judah Ben Hur, plus two other characters, David Robertson as Omar Lord, including an additional five characters.   Elliott Line as Edgar T Chesterfield and four other characters.  Ally Smith as Crystal Singer with three 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.  Great support came from Dale Hammond, playing four roles, Virginia Tennant as three characters including a wonderful centurion in a knitted helmet.  Cassie Furey and Kathryn Griffiths filled out the other two roles.

Praise also should go to Choreographer Nikki Deeming.  Even though the play was performed on blacks in a studio theatre, props, lighting and sound were well thought out, and worked very well.  I through the Charriot race was well thought out and with the audience participation in places this was a fun packed evening and a good night’s entertainment.

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

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