Checking Out

Salterton Drama Club  7 Sept 2023

                             CHECKING OUT 

             Written and Directed by KEN ELVY

“Checking Out” is a comedy play set in a B&B Guest House in Sidmouth and you would be forgiven in thinking what a desirable place for peace and quiet, to get away from the business of urban life and spend some time by the sea but with a honeymoon couple, he an undertaker, she a librarian, another couple having an illicit affair, an irritable elderly spinster, a not very bright assistant undertaker, a sarcastic landlady(with the suggestion of a “past”) and a very rude waitress cum general dogsbody ,you have a recipe for goodness knows what! Well; a disaster to be honest! Reminiscent of the old Whitehall farces (for those old enough to remember)

The play was well written, full of inuendo after inuendo, some of it so blatant that innuendo might be too polite a word, but none the less, very funny and clever, of course its all in the mind! Or is it? It didn’t leave much to the imagination! The audience clearly loved it and were roaring with laughter. They also loved the set and as the curtain went back there was appreciative applause for a very fine and detailed set. The interior of the Jurassic Guest House with the reception near stage right and further back, an archway leading to the bedroom suites etc plus very authentically marked private doors and then to stage left, a lounge and further on the dining room with swinging doors leading to the unseen kitchen.

Salterton Drama club should be very proud of their sets; authentic and with every small detail correct they put every effort to getting it right and they certainly succeed. The lighting was also good and used to great effect.

The music was also appropriate with “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside” etc. 

The acting was simply superb, timing, emphasis and facial expressions, not over the top but just right. The costumes were good and suited each character to perfection.  

Peggy the landlady came over authentically, trying to make every stay memorable in more ways than one! All accompanied with some withering asides. The names of the rooms were wonderful, relating to the Jurassic theme and including Neanderthal and Homus Erectus!

Lily the waitress and general factotum did an exceptional job of portraying someone who delighted in doing very little for anyone and daring them to complain. Her transformation near the end of the play was handled very convincingly.     

The honeymoon couple bounced off each other very well (innuendos are obviously catching!) When they appeared after their sleepless night discussing how the night went, the audience could be led to believe that they were discussing something quite different from a night of passionate love, as the comments and innuendos were so blatant, but no, they were revealing all!

This amusingly contrasted with the formal way they addressed each other as Mr and Mrs Stave. Mr Stave’s character was very well portrayed contrasting the deferential and respectful attitude of an undertaker with the breakfast conversation and likewise his wife, who delivered her outrageous comments with the primness of a librarian.  

Mona took control as soon as she came on stage with great flair and enthusiasm, looking forward to what lay ahead during her illicit night with Mr Fawcett and discovering to her horror that her niece (Mrs Stave) was staying at the same hotel. Mr Fawcett was not so enthusiastic and in the morning it transpired he had died of exhaustion during the night.  What followed was a traditional theme concerning dead bodies, wheelchairs etc, all done with pace and skill. Very entertaining. The role of Mr Fawcett was taken on at short notice due to sudden illness of the original cast member. The actor must be congratulated for stepping into the role and doing it so well.

Mrs Marx was superb with great lines wonderfully delivered, her acting was very natural and convincing, her timing and delivery perfect. Great part beautifully acted.

Alfie the assistant (trainee) undertaker gave a super performance reminiscent of a modern-day but nicer Uriah Heep. His unexpected romance with Lily was amusing but also tender and touching. Good portrayals by both actors.

All ended when Mona’s husband unexpectedly turned up!  A lovely cameo, very short but huge credit to the actor who performed as well as if he had a leading role. No walk on part this!

 Curtain! to much applause 

Gosh and all this in genteel Budleigh Salterton let alone based in Sidmouth. Special accolade for Ken Elvy, a local writer on an excellent script.

Heartfelt congratulations on a great laugh and a super night out! 

Thanks, Salterton Drama Club, I cannot wait for your next production!

Graham Liverton Regional Councillor NODA Southwest    

 

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