Bowing Out
Information
- Date
- 22nd March 2019
- Society
- Bocking Theatre Club
- Venue
- Bocking Village Hall
- Type of Production
- Play
- Director
- Gareth Jordan-Burrows
I was warmly greeted by Director, Gareth Jordan-Burrows, directlng a full length production for the first time. This was a murder/mystery play with the audience invited to log potential clues and form their views as to “whodunnit” ! It was a fast moving play, set in a derelict theatre with all of the eleven players invited to attend on the anniversary of the death of Sly Sparkle, a reviled theatrical producer who had disappeared over a cliff ( or had he? ) Each character wanted or expected a share of the estate of Sly Sparkle. The set was basic but totally right for the production with Stage Manager Terry Surrey also responsible for the set design. Changes between the three acts were minimal and seamless, thanks to the stage crew. The costumes were very colourful and relevant to the characters thanks to Jean Baker, Carol Felton and Margaret Surrey. Lighting (Alex Jay ) was good for the stage and sound ( Lauren Kelly) was generally good although there were a few occasions where it was difficult to pick up some of the speech.
The characters were all very well cast and performed extremely well. Pru Page, as Destiny Daniels, played a rather regal, but fading leading lady, fond of cosmetic and surgical ‘enhancements’ to appear younger than her years but really deemed past it. Pru was excellent in this role. Alex Goodchild, as Babooshka Manooshka, a glamorous post sex change amazon of a woman, was tremendous in the role and had an excellent stage presence. Mabel Brown, played by Joanna Heath, was a really down trodden woman-but with a past ! John Hughes, as Tarquin Tailor, the wardrobe mistress was unbelieveably “over the top” camp whilst Chris Plumridge, as Pierre Geeziour, was a convincing French businessman who just managed to maintain his accent throughout! .John Ellson played the once great actor, Sir Willard Dashmont, ever hoping for a comeback and so totally under the spell of Babooshka, whom he had recently married. He played the elder statesman figure with great passion. Autumn Jenner, as Billy Bragg was a loser from a reality show, hoping for a big break and gained the sympathy of the audience in his quest for fame. Steph Felton, as Jessica Blake, was troubled and anxious and Steph did well with this role which became very emotional. Vera Scrupels, played by Margaret Surrey, was a great and brash character role for Margaret who threw a few ‘diva’ moments and was convinced that her roles in daytime soaps adequately equipped her for bigger roles. Tony Gilbert, as Blaine Fox, was looking for his next big break into whatever came along and played the role with great confidence. All very diverse characters, brought together solely because of their erstwhile relationship with Sly. And, it transpired that the females had all had affairs with Sly !
The cast was completed by Sly’s widow, Saphire, played by Jan Peaston, who turned up towards the end and tried to take over the action. However, a mix up with her pills soon caused her exit. And, of course, Sly himself made an appearance in a large hamper with a dagger in his back.
Finally, in Act Three Inspector Darkley, played by Janet Perry, turned up to present all the clues and unveil the killer. This was Janet’s first stage appearance, I understand but she was not daunted.
All in all, it was a great fun evening and I congratulate the cast on keeping all the story lines moving along at a good pace and well done to everyone involved, especially Gareth in rising so well to the challenge of directing this play.
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