Curtain Up!

It was my pleasure to visit Colwall Village Hall for my first visit to the Players .“Curtain Up!” tells the story of five women who, having inherited equal shares in a beloved but disastrously dilapidate theatre, resolve to bring it back to life. There are enormous difficulties, practical, financial and deeply personal and not everyone is supportive all the time.   

The opening act set depicted the disused theatre foyer and was well constructed and suitably littered and unkept, musty, cobwebbed with the remains of some old playbills adorning the walls. We first meet mum and daughter ‘Pam’ and ‘Theresa’ played by Anna Byers and Anna Hodges. ‘Theresa’ reminds us of her early days watching theatre productions with enthusiasm and how she misses her late father Michael who has left them the theatre. ‘Pam’ is not so enthusiastic about the project probably as one of the five recipients was her late husband’s new wife ‘Jackie’ played by Jane Herron. ‘Jackie’ is bright and breezy but naturally  somewhat frosty towards ‘Pam’. The remaining characters are the colourful ‘Sharon’ (Jess Dallard) who worked with Michael and is ever hopeful the theatre will raise some money for her in particular and ‘Betty’, (Angela Meredith) Pam’s mother in law. Without exception the cast were excellent in so many ways; characterisation, great diction, words delivered without hesitation and with great pace and some excellent comedy timing.  

There were many dramatic moments; ‘Pam’  and ‘Jackie’ had an enormous row interrupted by ‘Betty’ appearing in an animal suit, ‘Pam’ and ‘Theresa’ falling out one moment and their making up was very well played. ‘Sharon’ decided an aerobics class could be a money raiser and her trial class with the others was very amusing with a very quick costume change to follow. The gaps between scenes were covered by a good choice of suitable music. When it was announced that Liza Minnelli would take part in their fund-raising concert, their real joy was uplifting.

As the second act opened, the initial set was folded back to show the refurbished theatre stage – quite a wow moment, all ready for Liza Minnelli. When it is announced that Liza could not appear due to ill health, ‘Pam’ was persuaded albeit reluctantly to stand in, in disguise. This was well handled and the suggestion by ‘Betty’ that most of the audience won’t notice the difference due to cataracts, was hilarious. However, the most poignant moments came when ‘Jackie’ admitted to being very impressed with ‘Pam’, and when ‘Pam’ explained why she had decided to remain with the project. Their relationship improved which is probably what Michael wanted to happen by throwing them together through the inheritance.

Directed by Gill Young, this was a production of high standard which everyone involved should be very proud of.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.