Curl Up and Die

This comedy is set in a jaded and faded hairdressing salon, in dire need of modernising, and an influx of new clientele paying higher prices for the expertise of Ruth, the very experienced and brilliant hairdresser. However, she wrangles with her conscience about doing this as she understands the dual purpose of the salon; a place for wealthier clients to come, have their hair done and leave until the next time, and as the place older people visit for a cheap wash and set and to experience connection in an otherwise lonely cold world. She loves them all. An opportunity arises where Ruth enters a hairdressing competition and with the prospect of winning substantial prize money. She could finally bring the salon into the 21st century, attract more clients with new trends and charge more for it, but she doesn’t want her regulars to know as she does not want to upset them.  Not only that, but she also has a surprise inspection from the Health & Safety Officer from the Council to contend with, who could shut her down with immediate effect! There’s an awkward bumbling love interest thread that goes completely awry, two wonderful elderly regulars foil Ruth’s attempts at secrecy and a potential tragedy!!   What could go wrong?

Cordially greeted on my  arrival I was shown to my seat and I settled in secure in the knowledge that, going on  my previous experience of this group’s productions, I was in for a good show. Little did I know then that my smiles would gradually crescendo to guffaws as the story developed. Mark Kermode, film reviewer, once said in an interview that for a comedy to be deemed good there should be at least six moments of laughter from the audience,  more than that is great but it should never be less than six.

I lost count!

Lesley Preedy, director, was very insightful in choosing the right person to play each of the diverse characters. This is a mark of just how well she knows SADS' players and what she could elicit from them, and goodness did they work hard. A comedy is a difficult genre to pull off on stage, there are no second chances and if the timing isn’t right there is a deafening silence, you have lost your audience to rolling tumbleweed and that is hard to come back from in the moment.  No tumbleweed abounds here though, the audience were crying with laughter as the story became more and more ridiculous and convoluted, typical of the revving up style of a Farce.  The miscommunication, misunderstandings and coverups made for a very funny story and the journey had many hilarious pot holes, twists and turns. Well done Lesley on directing a very complicated and complex show.

I cannot say who stole the show for me. I did have a couple of players in mind initially so impressed was I by them, but by the time I had met all the characters I now cannot say I have any that I thought shone more brightly than another. Working  together they all shone - the result, I imagine, of very  intense rehearsals, the cast worked as a unit and this sophisticated level of cast understanding and bond ensured that this show was executed with accuracy and consistency throughout. There was very little prompting required which was impressive as it is a very wordy show, and the cast member picked up their cue swiftly and carried on without the flow being too noticeably interrupted.

I was informed that the wonderful set was made and put in position weeks before opening night. As there were four ‘rooms’ off the salon space plus the entrance door of the salon this was a wise move. The potential for the cast to hurriedly enter and exit through the wrong ‘room’ in the chaos of the comedy held a big risk to the flow and would have been potentially distracting for the cast. However these convoluted entrances and exits were accurately executed maintaining the journey of the story.  The ‘dodgy’ electrics within the salon were perfectly demonstrated by the lighting and sound team with bangs and sparkly fizzing noises and subsequent blackouts. 

This was a very high quality,  delightful production of Curl Up & Die which was very obviously enjoyed by a full house. I witnessed the smiles and chatter about the show and how good it was from the audience as they went to spend time with the cast and all involved over drinks and nibbles, as this was the last show of the run.  I would like to commend you all on a very successful and excellent show and wish you all many more.

Nadine Darnley De Salis
Deputy NODA Rep

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