Building Blocks

The play Building Blocks was performed by MDS in the middle of the heatwave in June and all the cast are to be commended for their performances in less than ideal circumstances.

It is a play about a middle-class couple who are in the middle of an extension build whilst also trying for a baby, two of life’s most stressful times. Written by Bob Larbey who also wrote The Good Life, it was a gentle comedy with plenty of opportunities for anyone who has had an extension built to reminisce with a groan or two. The cast had clearly worked on their characterisations and on how each of them reacted to the situations in the play showing some nice contrasts as frustrations grew. There were some natural relationships developed between married couple Mary and Jim and some lovely workplace camaraderie between Mark, Piper and Brian. At times the pace dropped, particularly in the wordier passages, but some of that may have been down to the script. I was impressed by the way that the cast coped with the heatwave, and judging by how hot it was in the village hall, it must have been very difficult on stage. Mary and Kerry wisely had a slightly longer interval which gave both the cast and audience time to cool down and rehydrate. The use of the apron in front of the tabs for the final set change was well devised and meant that final reveal was a lovely surprise!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.