Bums on Seats

This was a very different and unusual play that took a certain boldness to perform and as in previous productions CODS never disappoint. The acting was skilfully done, the script witty and clever. The three Usherettes performed well. At times, reminiscent of the three continuity mice from the film Babe.

The leading usherette, Wendy (Nicki Chivers) was really enjoying her role. Every inch the part!

Estelle (Gillian Mackenzie) came over well as the marketing Assistant, with a pinstripe trouser suit to match her new (soon to be disappointed) business-like aspiration. Benedict Thrush (Barry Stimson) was very convincing as the over the top actor, explaining to Estelle how her job should be done, thus unwittingly beginning her disillusion with the theatre scene.

Cathy Lamb played Zara & Marcia with gusto, and although the “giving birth” scene was very well portrayed, I thought a little stage licence was allowed, both on the amount of blood and the improbability of the actress actually having a baby. But as this was a play within a play maybe that was the point.

Mike Canning (Hugo) is a masterful actor and a real all-rounder. Really delightful to watch and well matched with Cathy Lamb.

Paul Walker as Roland Luckett did a first class job with his interpretation of a lecherous old playwright.

The scene featuring the two local politicians (Mike Felstead and Adrian Piercy) with their respective wives was very amusing, but surely nowhere near real life!!!! Mike Felstead showed another side to his acting ability completely with a sensitive and moving performance as an actor turned teacher turned actor. He portrayed this troubled character beautifully and set against the amusing and over the top scenes of the rest of the play, this stood out as a rather special performance.

Everyone worked hard on this play and really lived their characters. not everyone’s cup of tea, with a fair smattering of swearwords and a 'difficult to get into' plot line but many congratulations to Carolyn Stoyle who managed to deliver a difficult play in an understandable way. Just shows you don’t have to go to Exeter to experience "art".

Many thanks for an enjoyable and interesting evening.

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