Confetti

This was both a new play and a new group for me and Jo Gladstone’s direction squeezed every drop of humour from the writing, by local author Simon Mawdsley. Jo used every single bit of the acting area on 3 different levels and managed to give herself multiple exits which helped keep the pace up. She ensured that her performers understood their characters and the humour. This was well cast as they all looked ‘right’ together. I particularly liked the reduced action behind the main characters in some scenes and the way the Photographer invited us in to the action.

Each character had a different way of bringing humour to the audience, some were physical, others were more words-based. The camp Photographer, Lee Barnes, was very eloquent and at times was either the narrator or the Greek Chorus. Myles Lovell as cocky Tom, kept us guessing as to whether we liked him or not. Jordyn Linklater’s Trev was a highlight, this was a very physical performance and he was a very convincing drunk. Steve Foster’s facial expressions were very good and so was his comic timing as the Vicar. As bawdy Uncle Bob, Stuart Coombe was tempted to act too much rather than let his character’s physicality do the work. Audrey, Gemma Colton, was channelling her inner Alison Steadman as Tom’s mum and we warmed to her immediately. Her confidence in her singing ability was great.

Ginny Elliston as Elizabeth/Betty, delivered most of her Act One lines through gritted teeth and a pasted on smile but we gradually understood her more as her accent slipped and her true personality appeared through the vodka. Chrissie Waites, was very convincing in the role of calm Wendy and we believed she had a good relationship with her sister. Lucy Wood as Tanya delivered her defiant dialogue with enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment. Jody Randell as Bernard had 2 loves in his life, his daughters and the cricket club and a hidden dark secret was hinted at until all was revealed just before the end. Sam, Georgia Bryson, was a bride wanting her happy ending but wasn’t completely naïve; her crying scene was very realistic. I enjoyed watching Noah Stevenson as the stroppy, sweary nephew Vernon, he had some good comic moments.

The set was relatively simple but set the scenes well. There was a good use of both cast and crew for the changes but I would have liked the extra cast to look more like wedding guests. The use of potted shrubs or small trees would also have improved our understanding of being outside at the cricket club,

The costumes were very good choices for the characters, especially Audrey’s leopard print. There were also little highlights of neon accessories, the Rev’s party outfit, Vernon’s painted nails and Uncle Bob’s outrageous tie.

I don’t know if all of the music choices were in the script or a directorial choice but they were just right for this particular wedding and the lighting helped us know if we were inside or outside or at a party. There were a couple of moments when lines were lost upstage under the music but I don’t think we missed anything important.

We were given a very warm welcome by the society, had a very interesting chat with Jo and laughed a lot. I was happy not to be the one doing the hoovering though! Thank you Heath Players.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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