Critic (or A Tragedy Rehearsal)

This production was part of the Georgian Theatre’s 225th Anniversary And the celebration of Rads 50 yrs in the theatre.

What better show to present than a Georgian Play  written by R B Sheridan in 1779. It was indeed an excellent play. The first half was very wordy, but the quality of the acting was superb. Mr Dangle, very well played, by Kevin Fawkes was the 'Critic' and Sneer played by Warnock  Kerr (another critic) were discussing plays and faults of the modern theatre when another playwright arrives Sir Fretful  Plagiary,very well played by Stuart Kerr. He asks for honest criticisms and they mock him. The critics then want to go to the rehearsal of Puffs tragedy but before they go Puff arrives and becomes the focus of the scene. Puff was excellently played by Mike Walker with superb acting. After they have heard what Puff has to say - the play is about the Spanish Armada - they go to the rehearsal. This scene was amusing because Dangle and Sneer sat in the front row of the audience as Puff was directing his play.The banter from the “Critics” and the those  acting was very funny.

It was a big cast the extras had several parts to play with quick changes. Mrs Dangle was played by Joy Mills whilst,Mr Cunningham introtuced the play with the prologue whilst also taking several roles. Doug Clayton also played several parts very well indeed along  with Stuart Kerr, who played Raleigh in the tragedy.Max Walker played the Earl of Leicester whilst Sue Tandy had many quick changes for the parts she played. Others taking part were the Misses Wrightson and Marwhinney and also sang very well. Mr Leeks took small parts very confidently.

Jim Brown did a splendid job Directing this play and was indeed an excellent production. What better finish to a play than to have Britannia, alias  Lynn  Kerr leading with ” Rule Britannia” the audience all joining in. Very well done Rads.

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