Calendar Girls
Information
- Date
- 8th September 2012
- Society
- Little Theatre Company
- Venue
- The Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
- Type of Production
- Play
- Director
- Stephanie Wilson
I was really looking forward to this production as I was aware that the cast were all highly accomplished actors and I was not disappointed. From the opening lines it was clear that these ladies (and gentlemen) had put their hearts and souls into the production.
Director Stephanie Wilson demonstrated a light touch with both the pathos and the comedy and it was quite a roller coaster ride of emotions. Every member of the cast played their character to perfection and watching the various asides as the play progressed, showed that they had all put a lot of thought into their characterisation.
Dave Lobley was, for me, outstanding as John and his portrayal of the degeneration of the character as he succumbed to the cancer that took his life, was truly heart breaking. I do cry easily but this was a record even for me!
Everyone gave excellent performances and I would really like to give them all a mention but I would quickly run out of space. But I must credit the leading ladies, all of whom gave their characters ‘life’. Judy Lawrence (Annie) showed the two sides of a wife suffering at the deterioration of a loved one. Sally Lightfoot portrayed the ambitious Chris with style and empathy. Audrey Bott (Cora) Sue Morley (Jessie) Sarah Mummery (Ruth) and Sam Anderson (Celia) all gave great performances and the ‘team’ feeling was very clear throughout the play.
The set was perfect and the back stage team had the various scene changes down to a fine art. It was necessary to have blackouts to make the major changes but they were quickly accomplished and did not slow the pace of the play at all.
The lighting was excellent, particularly during the photographic session scene and this was carried off by all concerned with great aplomb and no feeling of embarrassment. Although there was one moment, in this scene, when the tableau being taken was masked from me by another actor, but it was all over so quickly that it did not detract from the production in any way.
Little Theatre Company has produced another outstanding production, well done.
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