Confusions

St Vincent’s Dramatics Society have been on a mission to recruit new members with workshops culminating in a night of two one act plays from Alan Ayckbourn’s Confusions: Between Mouthfuls and Gosforth’s Fete.

The evening was set up informally with seats around tables and a supper in between the two plays.

Between Mouthfuls was set in front of the stage: two tables set for dinner with chairs, a serving unit at the back in-between and a hostess trolley used to bring on the food. With tablecloths and full set up on the table I was impressed with the amount of food brought out. Someone was working hard in the background. Gosforth’s Fete set in a tent and with draping looked good and the added bunting. Steps leading up from the floor Stage Left used as an entrance as well as Back Stage Left and Right. Table Centre Stage complete with tea urn. Sound system and toolbox in front of table on the floor. Chair Stage Right. Table Upstage Right. Wooden plinth to stand on by the microphone. Stage Manager Eric Jones and Stage Hand Collette Rowe. Stage Design Eric Jones, Alison Owen & Carmela Horne. Set Building Eric Jones, Tricia Shorten, Alison Owen and Collette Rowe. Props were by Alison Owen, Collette Rowe, Eric Jones and Trish Glennon. Restaurant set up Bernard Lewarne, Joan Lewarne, Eric Ehouman, Eric Jones, Tony Griffin, Irene Holmes, Tricia Shorten and Carmela Horne.

Costumes looked all in keeping – especially for the Mrs Pearce character. Costumes by Pat Quinlan and Cast.  The sound of the children playing in Gosforth Fete worked really well and the rain, thunder and band. Sound and lighting by Adrain Mottram and Toni Maloney.

Debut director was Carmela Horne who is well known for taking to the stage and she took on Between Mouthfuls. Set in a restaurant where two couples unwittingly know each other in more ways than one. We hear only what the waiter hears and it doesn’t start out well and goes downhill from there. There was a stumble on lines which was quickly rectified: the piece is so disjointed by having to stop mid-sentence that it’s hard to keep track. The amount of food that is brought out is amazing and all looking like it should, with timing of opening bottles of wine and the hostess trolley being brought on. Timing was a big thing.

Tricia Shorten directed Gosforth’s Fete which starts off just an ordinary day at a local village fete but the accident of leaving the microphone on and what is broadcast all over the fields changes everything - plus the British weather. The chaos just gets worse as no-one is actually listening to each other. Good use of entrances and the use of the stairs at the front of the stage.

For Between Mouthfuls the cast was: Waitresses Georgina Simpson and Nelja Szmereka. Nelja showed the couples to their tables whilst only a small part was believable.

Carl Bottomley played the waiter and was full on with serving each table all the food and drinks. Having to be the focus at each table: when he arrived there that’s when the dialogue was heard. Taking orders, serving and reaction at the same time giving the audience the chance to see his opinion of the deteriorating situation. It was very funny his wheeling the hostess trolley with bottom stuck in the air clearly trying to get away from the conversation he was hearing. Jason Taylor played the hoodwinked husband Martin who cannot believe what his wife tells him. His wife is played by Helena Carter whose paramour happens to be her boss. Clearly fed up with the status quo at home. It’s clear to see the couple have problems.

Pearce played by Keith Hindley the instigator of all the problems blusters his way through dinner clearly irritated by his wife Emma Pearce played by Jen Jackson, who could see what he was up to. All four clearly needed couples therapy and goodness knows what went on later. Good interaction.

Cast for Gosforth’s Fete was Mrs Winthrop played by Nelja Szmereka, Millie played by Suzie Woodley who is engaged to Stuart played by Jason Taylor who is the cub scout leader and overhears the news that all the village knows that she had been having an affair with Gosforth even though she doesn’t particularly like him. Chaos then ensues and Stuart gets very drunk on sherry. I did not see an engagement ring on Suzie’s hand, the night I was there despite her pointing at her finger to emphasise the fact. Her distraughtness was evident at the pickle she had got herself into. Carl Bottomley played the said Gosforth. His lovely organised day not going to plan with too many gremlins starting off with his faux pas into the microphone. To be honest, look who he has around him! The lady vicar played by Gretta Rainford I thought was hilarious. So lovely and kind but not a clue what was going on and the scene with the urn was funny. Last but not least was Angela Simpson as Mrs Pearce who looked stunning and was made even funnier when she had been misdirected by the Wolf Cubs. So her entrance covered in half the forest was very funny and the electric shock -  well played!

What a lovely informal relaxed evening St Vincent’s put on and all must be congratulated - Cast and Crew and behind the scenes. Thank you from my guest Angela and I for the invite and hospitality. Lovley to see new talent being given a chance with experienced actors and directors.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

D5 Rep

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