Cheshire Cats

This piece is not just an entertaining play which follows the exploits of a group of walkers going down to London for a charity event; it’s part of something much bigger. Gail Young wrote this play after taking part in the 2003 London MoonWalk to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer, and as a tribute to the fundraisers; it is still produced as a charitable fund-raiser by groups all over the world.

Set in traverse, with the audience on two sides of the studio, the space was used admirably by the company; the lighting was first class, and the use of projected images to set the scenes, combined with background sounds, was excellent; just enough, without intruding.

The core protagonists, five women (joined later by a male draftee) are first discovered training for their upcoming 13-mile sponsored walk. The audience is introduced gradually to the quirks and foibles of the group, organised to the limit by the controlling Hilary (June Williamson), despite moments of near rebellion (and blisters) from the feisty Yvonne (Diane McHale-Fadden). The glue that holds the group together is the voice of reason, compromise, and enthusiasm of Siobhan (Gillian Myers). If we twist the arm of divorcee Vicky (Janine Walker), she may confess to having a new man in her life; and will Maggie (Emma McGrath) be able to keep up with the others come the big day? We will follow them with keen interest from training, to the station, on the train to London (with jenga!), through the walk itself, and back again, after twists and revalations, triumphant.

Andrew (Simon Flint) joins the gang as a last-minute replacement; he will look great later on the walk in drag, matching the others in fancy bra and pink tutu. At first the audience could have been forgiven for thinking his leering innuendo was overdone, but later we discover that Andrew was, in fact, acting.

After warm-up aerobics, we’re off on the walk, meeting all sorts of characters on the way. It would be misleading to describe those we met on the way as ‘minor’ characters, because every one of them lit up the stage. Comedy gold from the policeman (Lee Sharratt) who inadvertently causes a traffic accident, and tiptoes away. Linda McHale and Lara Woodhouse as Madge and Ethel, the 9-mile marshals could have a show of their own; when they were looking into space for the source of the disembodied voice which proved to be their walky-talky, it was priceless. The role of Handsome Drunk is one for which many of us could only prove half-qualified. Matthew Jones nailed it.

Comedy, pathos, plot, pace, audience involvement, and great night out; sounds like a job for Cosmopolitan Players!

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