Changing Fortunes

Written and directed by Allan Bulloch, who is a member of P & P Players, this play was billed as a comedy, and it had all the ingredients. However, personally I felt that the storyline of an aristocratic family hitting hard times and having to down size, had the potential to have made a good farce.

It did have it highs and lows, in some scenes it was very funny and with snappy delivery, but in others it became very slow and laboured and lacked energy. It was also noticeable that some cast members were struggling with their lines. With a cast of twelve in this play, the small stage, in this lovely venue, was a little crowded at times with cast members on top of each other.

Although he looked about 20 years to young for the part he was playing, James Boultbee stole the show from the start, as Carter, the butler. His characterisation and comic timing was excellent throughout. The wonderful, totally believable, drunken cousin Freddie (Nick Clarke) added life to play in the second act. There was also a fine performance from Angus Maule, as central character Sir Timothy Spence who was the anchorman who seemed to keep it going when others were struggling around him.

It was a pity that there were not a few more in the audience but overall it was a very pleasant evening.

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