Caught in the Net
Information
- Date
- 19th May 2018
- Society
- Clacton Amateur Dramatic Society
- Venue
- WestCliff Theatre
- Type of Production
- Farce
- Director
- Alexander Bass
Another sequel in the popular series written by Ray Cooney to “Run for your Wife” which CADS performed last year. A hugely busy show which calls for a very active cast which they most certainly were in this production.
A very complicated story which requires the set to represent two houses. This took a while to adjust to with lots of doors within the set. Although two houses the entire stage was set as one, so you had to imagine an internal wall dividing the set into two.
The pace of the dialogue is very fast and movement rather frantic which kept the cast constantly going in and out of the doors
Luke Grint in his debut with the society playing Gavin Smith was excellent in this role. I was very impressed with his confidence and his stage movements were very good as was his dialogue. All this with being pushed and pulled around which Luke coped with in a a very easy style .I hope he continues to be involved with the society again in the future.
John Thomson as John Smith led a double life which he had kept close to his chest for many years. This eventually caught up with him and caused great hilarity for the audience. Again another very athletic performance and an awful lot of “words” to learn.
Charlie Vaughan as the lodger Stanley Gardener is highly entertaining on stage ,works at a very fast rate, and is a master of ad libs when and if needed.
All the scenes in this production involved Charlie and all credit must go to him for a very important character in this show well played.
I thought the three ladies were excellent.
Gabrielle Tyler as the daughter Vicki Smith looked very confident and played her role very well.
Newcomer Hayley Favell as Barbara Smith was excellent in her debut role with the society
.Very good telephone manner, very confident and a natural performer on stage.I hope we see Hayley in more roles with the society.
Lisa Winterford as Mary Smith( so many Smith’s in this production) also is a regular performer with the society and very efficient with good timing and reaction with facial expression.A confident performer.
Completing the cast was Michael John Smith as Dad who did not appear until Act 2 but was a vital character in the drama but totally confused with all the going’s on.Another first performance with CADS.
I felt at times(because of several prompts on opening night which is understandable) the pace slowed here and there so some of the humour was missed by the audience.It is a very “wordy” play and with so much action the audience had to watch and listen very attentively to keep up with the story.
As always a terrific set with great lighting and a good sound. A credit to all, and well done too.
© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.