Bombshells

On Saturday January 25th, I had the delightful opportunity to visit The Green Room Theatre in Wilmslow to watch their production of ‘Bombshells’ written by Joanna Murray-Smith. The play is a funny and touching celebration of the passionate, hilarious wildness of women. It brings to the stage six very different women, all facing unique challenges in their lives, each with a story to tell. Throughout the performance, the six actors took the audience on a journey of sadness, secrets, and struggles, showcasing that each one of them matters and each one of them finds a voice.

At the very start we were introduced to all six performers playing a game of ‘Musical Chairs.’ One by one the performers left the thrust theatre in different directions, making the audience question why this mattered in relation to the overall intention of the play. Cleverly, the directors, Victor Hassan and Linda Batson, used this to establish the order in which we would encounter each character.

The original play was written for one actor to play all six characters, so I was both intrigued and excited to see how the Green Room Theatre in Wilmslow would use six actors instead of one.

The performance began with Lorna Kong playing the chaotic life of a mother, Meryl Louise Davenport. Lorna consistently commanded the stage throughout her monologue, delivering her dialogue to all three areas of the audience with power and conviction. Her use of body language and gestures vividly brought to life the day in the life of a mother. Lorna's varied tonality kept the audience engaged, evoking laughter and a sense of reality on stage. However, I felt that more set and props would have further enhanced the chaotic intentions of this part of the play.

Next, we were introduced to Jane Hyde playing Tiggy Entwistle. Tiggy gives a deep and meaningful presentation about flowers, particularly the Cactus. Jane delightfully informs the audience that deep down, the presentation is really about her husband cheating on her. Jane’s stance on stage was wonderful, commanding the space and gradually building a sense of frustration.

We then moved on to the comedic monologue of Mary O’Donnell, played by Madeleine Healey. From the start, Madeleine had the audience engaged with her ‘Cat’ costume and ‘cat-like’ makeup. Mary is heavily involved in an Irish Talent Show, and Madeleine’s well-executed Irish accent deserves a mention. When Mary realises that someone else is performing the same piece she prepared, she changes her performance to the song ‘Shaft.’ Madeleine brilliantly used control and pauses to enhance the comedic moments, further highlighted by her movement through character and song.

Next in line was Theresa McTerry, played by Eilidh Pollard. As a ‘bride-to-be,’ Theresa’s wedding dress and a long mirror were set on stage. Eilidh's character speaks to the mirrors as though speaking to herself. Theresa shares her excitement about being a bride, but reality kicks in when we realise all she wanted was to wear the wedding dress. Eilidh’s use of space, articulation, comedic timing, and facial expressions complemented the dialogue and intention wonderfully.

After several comedic moments, we encountered the charcter, Winsome Webster, played by Caroline Lucas. Caroline begins her monologue gracefully sitting in an armchair next to a tea trolley, sharing her life story. This part of the play is an emotional rollercoaster, moving the audience from deeply moved to hilariously laughing. Caroline delivered and played out the ‘rude movements’ of the love story tastefully and with conviction.

Lastly, we met Zoe Struthers, played by Neerja Sethi. Zoe’s vocals, particularly while singing a cappella, were commendable. The character addresses the audience in a cabaret-style performance, sharing her personal problems.

Overall, the production worked wonderfully with the script performed by six different actors. The time invested by each performer and their thorough understanding of the playwright's artistic intentions were evident.

It was lovely to meet you all, and thank you for your hospitality. I look forward to seeing you all soon.

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