Curtain Up

An all ladies cast in this popular play which in all their productions since 1975 had not been performed before with the group.

The set was a complete “take” on a run down foyer of a once large theatre complete with out of date posters, info re upcoming shows and the like, which was the introduction to the five ladies involved in the story line.

The late Michael (twice married) had bequeathed the theatre to his five favourite ladies to fight over what to do with it.

First on the scene the first wife Pam played by Jacqui Caudill and daughter Theresa played by Katherine Johnson.

Theresa was very much the instigator in the plot and was well played by Katherine who came over as rather naïve and her Father’s favourite, trying to pull everyone together after many years of ill feeling.

Pam as Jaqui seemed rather hesitant in her dialogue and with Katherine it lacked flow for a while.

Sharon played by Gemma Quinn  then appeared as a rather trendy punk/goth dressed lady with multi coloured highly spiked hair, and was one time Secretary to Michael it appeared.Gemma gave a consistant performance with very clear dialogue and gave a confident character.

All five ladies involved with the late Michael had various views on his character and the discussions were very amusing.

Betty (Pam’s Mother)played by Linda Potter was a great character and did well with her colourful dialogue, but I would have liked even more from Linda with both facial and body language to add another dimension to her role.Linda has a great sense of comedy and even more bringing out this feisty lady would have been good.

Lastly we had Jackie the second wife played by Sara Talbot-Ashby, a very much younger wife than number one and at odds with most of the other ladies.

Sara was quietly spoken at first, but stood her ground with the other ladies and eventually peace was restored all round.

The only other members of the cast were the crew members who fitted into a dance class with Sharon and added to the show very well.I must also comment on the quick set up and set changes with the crew who had a lot of props to move.Well done.

The production had some nice touches and in Act Two we were transported to the stage of the theatre with all the glitz and glamour awaiting the guest star Lisa Minelli, who sadly did not turn up !!

The finale was slick and enjoyable with all the ladies in matching costumes doing a dance routine.

Well done to the company for continuing to give the Dovercourt public live theatre, and also for being awardsd two nominations for Best Drama and Best Pantomime with NODA East Region,District 11.

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