Love and Links

What a privilege to be invited to see and review this very entertaining short play titled “Love and Links” both written and directed by first time playwright and Director Marianne McGhee. This production was a result and supported by workshops held at Chorley theatre following the awarding of a grant from the “Community Capacity Building Fund” (UKSPF) administered by Chorley Council. The grant funded lighting, projection, staging, and workshops in the studio theatre which in turn enable them to provide more events and activities resulting in opportunities for people to be involved with theatre and the arts in Chorley.

This was a really enjoyable well written comedic piece which reminded me of some of those well known and loved northern comedies and plays which we enjoy in theatres and on television.Set against the backdrop of a local golf club after one of its prominent members has passed away, the members and his friends and neighbours come together for the funeral and is the catalyst for two people to reconnect and get to the bottom of a misunderstanding and plot to keep them apart that ended their relationship some years previously.

Director Marianne McGhee had two experienced outstanding comedy actors in the roles of the main protagonist in this play, they were, Cathy Hurley as Margaret and Siobhan Edge as Peggy who were two very likeable very funny down-to-earth characters from whom we learned all the gossip and local news, as they sat at Margaret’s kitchen table drinking tea, although they we quick to emphasise that they were not ones to gossip.Both actors appeared relaxed in their roles which made their conversations look very natural and not at all scripted, their friendship both on and off stage was obvious, both delivering their punchlines expertly.Margarets daughter Maddy was played by Emma Hardacre and her love interest Richard the son of the deceased was played by Terry Kentebe, both produced convincing performances which made their relationship believable, and you were rooting for them to find out what happened years ago when Richard left to join the army, and hoped they would get back together again. Cas Jellicoe took on two quite distinct roles, Shirley who worried about her appearance and her clothes, she used any excuse to enjoyed spending money, however we find out as the action progresses that Shirley’s behaviour masked the deeper problem of loneliness. Cas also played Richard's mother Jean a completely contrasting character to Shirley. Jean decided to take an action that she felt was in her son's interest, which had a devastating consequence for two people. Cas pulled off the contrast in these roles well. Then we had another nice comedic double act, golfing friends, Gary played by Nick Ainsworth and Darren played by Frank Duxbury. Nick also gave us a very entertaining Vicar which reminded me of some of the vicars I have come across in the past. I could hear everything that was said meaning that the audience could follow the plot easily and there was good comic timing from all the cast which meant there was the opportunity for the audience to get all the laughs. However, although this play was on the surface a feel-good production, it also included poignant situations, misjudgments, missed opportunities, misunderstandings and a mother who thought she was doing the right thing, yet in the process, hurting the person she was trying to protect, meaning there were differing aspects and messages to the story and the action.

For such a short play there were number of scene changes, and I have to say these changes were efficiently undertaken by the stage crew swiftly, and were not intrusive to the plot at all, keeping the pace of the play exactly right, congratulations must go to all stage crew and properties Ellie Brown, Ella Green, Luke Brown and Donna Keller. Costumes by Kath Townsend where exactly right for the production, subject matter and the characters involved. As usual technical design and operation by Paul Carr was very efficient and worked very well for the production and I loved the song choices of the music played during scene changes which applied to the action on stage. Some thought must have gone into playing the right music at the right time. Marketing and posters were by Ian Robinson.

Congratulations to Marianne McGhee and all involved in bringing this very enjoyable production to the stage and well done to Chorley Theatre for their hard work new initiatives and support of new talent and the theatre as a whole

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