Branching Out & Dirty Business

 

St Vincent’s DS put on two One Act Plays. Branching out by Keith Trezise and Dirty Business by Derek Webb.

The first play set up a tree. Yes up tree! With large cut out of the top of tree filling the stage and branches intertwined with a hole at the bottom to climb through onto the stage. Planks were also used to build a platform. The Second act was set in an office with large desk to Stage Right dressed with Black office chair, computer, phone various papers and trays. On the back wall was a unit with office object d’art and office printer. Stage Left was a shelving unit with various office bits on. A large floor plant  was Down Stage Left.  A Henry Hoover was brought on during the scene. Stage Design and Dressing was by Tricia Shorten, Eric Jones, Alison Owen and Karl Owen. Stage manager Eric Jones. Properties by Tricia Shorten, Alison Owen, Katherine Haslam, Toni Maloney and Cast. Lighting and sound added to performance. Sound and Lighting by Toni Maloney, Phil Macivor, Adrian Mottram and Jason Taylor. Costumes were in keeping with the characters.

Trish shorten directs both plays and makes good use of the stage. A difficult one with Branching Out as not much movement when you are up a tree. But the actors made good use of the limited space and held on the branches giving the feel of height. There were a few fluffed lines and prompts which were quickly picked up.

Rhys Churchill played Derek. Not sure why he was actually there but infatuated with Rachel. Full of allergies and various other things and scared of heights. Rhys gave us the unsure man who easily changes his affections realising he doesn’t actually like Rachel. Setting his mind on Pauline the real eco warrior played by Suzie Macivor. Suzie the practical one seeing the good in everyone. Quietly waiting on the side lines until Derek sees her. She even sees the good in the Out-spoken Rachel played by Sian Billington. Opinionated and no time for men actually doesn’t think she has an opinion but still gives all her opinion. Susie gave us full-on woman in a rant about all things that annoy her, even Derek annoys her. It soon becomes apparent she has ulterior motives and the so-called amazing planner is not actually that good. All three did well with a limited script and gave us laughs in the right places.

The second half was Dirty Business and the set had a complete change into an office. Paul Brighouse takes on the role of Roger working for the council the cuts get leaked and Roger loses his memory. Paul played the confused man well. Leading to a series of mistake and events. Angela played by Margaret Parkinson. Angela partial to a game show or two actual comes good in the end. Fearing for her job she embarks on the blackmail game with Josie which goes wrong. Angela worked well with Debbie correcting her at every turn with her mispronounced words. Debbie Eustace played Josie, who had a touch of Mrs Malaprop with getting her words wrong which was hilarious results. Debbie and Angela were a great foil for each other and the laughs were plentiful with a surprise ending. Well played.

Thank you so much for the invite from my guest Angela and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

D5 Rep

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