Blind Drunk

Julie Kaye is not only a member of the Pierrot Players, but she also wrote the script and directed this fine production of “Blind Drunk”. It has a great storyline, interesting characters and ends with an unexpected double twist.

Set in the seaside town of Bridlington, we are introduced to the people who live and work there. They each have personal issues and secrets best left unsaid, and Julie’s script gives each actor plenty of scope to work with different emotions making the whole thing very believable. The lines flowed with ease from all the actors with good clear diction and great emphasis in all the right places. Excellent work from everyone.

The minimalistic set and props, sound and lighting effects, worked very well.

Most of the action takes place at the harbour outside the prestigious Priory Hotel where two ladies, Joan (Laura Davis) and Maggie (Gemma Bourke), are visiting Bridlington to scatter Joan’s late husband’s ashes into the sea. Joan and Maggie have been friends for many years, and they reminisce of their younger days, especially when out drinking together and dancing the night away. Laura and Gemma worked extremely well together, such that it made us want to join in with them. Whenever there is a scene when actors must act drunk it can easily get out of hand, but not in this case and they handled it perfectly.

One of the town residents is Joe (Daniel Wilson) who is in the fishing business, owns a shop and is a great believer in spiritualism. Daniel made his stage debut with this part, and he should be very pleased with his spot-on characterisation.    

Trish, another shop owner on the harbour, was delightfully played by Karen Bedford as a very colourful character in both mannerisms and flamboyant outfits.

As in all towns and cities there is a police force to ensure law and order. PC Barry, played to perfection by David Colston, appears to be falling in love with Laura Oldfield. Laura has been blind since childhood, surviving the tragedy of losing both her parents in a road accident, and now with the help of her beloved guide dog, Munch, lives an independent life. Dianne Bickerdyke was brilliant as Laura and, although we never saw the dog, equipped with a cane and empty dog harness Dianne’s facial and body language portrayed her character perfectly.  

The script writer keeps several secrets hidden from the audience and this was very well concealed by the actors. Kath Bretton gave an impressive performance as Anita Miller, a very snobby and “upper-class” wine drinker with something to hide, but she never let on what it was.

Anna Marie Fearnley was outstanding in the demanding role of Helen Miller who is the spoilt daughter of Anita and unable to hold down a job due to her being an alcoholic – a role which can be so difficult to depict. After excessive drinking, she decides to take her car out for a spin and in doing so causes a fatal accident. Arriving back home she lies to the police about what happened and goes into denial. As this point, the story takes more twists and turns than a roller-coaster ride. Laura then arrives without her beloved dog and moves around the room without the aid of her cane. It is then made clear that Helen has not only killed Munch, but Laura as well. Out of all the people in the room, only Helen can see Laura and she has come back to haunt Helen and make her admit to the police that she was drunk. It also transpires that the accident that killed Laura’s parents was caused by Helen’s parents who have escaped overseas to avoid being convicted.

This production ticked all the boxes. Great work from the actors, director and the technical crew who have made this such an excellent production. The applause at the end of the play said it all.

Thank you for the invite and the wonderful hospitality.

 

Sue Cox 

NODA NE Rep

Region 14 

 

 

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