Deckchairs

STAC once again presented their production in the Swan Theatre Studio, which consisted of five playlets each for two women and all set on a seaside promenade. The action in each case took place seated in two deckchairs centre stage, but other deck chairs were visible and a wind -break, all backed by a simple row of well painted beach huts. Well written by Jean McConnell, each playlet was different, either funny or poignant.

The first called ‘Doggies’ involved Thelma (Helen Broadfield) and Eleanor (Julia Blois) who each held their respective ‘dogs’ in covers with just the heads visible enabling comical movements. Thelma’s was a Pug called San San and Eleanor’s was a Cross Corgi called Robbie, the latter of which was not particularly well behaved, as opposed to San which Thelma claimed behaved perfectly. Whilst both characters were out spoken, Thelma suggested that she and Eleanor have different backgrounds that was reflected in their dogs and bit by bit they began to get on each other’s nerves. Perhaps Eleanor had the last laugh when she suggests that earlier San San and Robbie were up to no good under the band-stand! I enjoyed both Helen and Julia’s performances; Helen’s somewhat bright and giggly characterisation of Thelma, against the somewhat more serious and defensive attitude of Eleanor.

The next playlet was called ‘Early Blight’ involving June played by Gemma Matthews and her mother Helen played by Kate Moore. It opened with a long speech by Helen who rather aggressively berated June for allegedly and on numerous occasions, getting things wrong. Both were strong in their delivery and Gemma provided a masterclass in acting whilst not saying anything! The relationship takes another downward turn when June breaks a vase and discovers seven letters inside from an admirer over 30 years ago, which Helen has obviously hidden from her. The admirer wanted June to go to Australia with him, but according to Helen ‘He was not for you’ and clearly in her opinion not good enough.  This was the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ in their relationship and when June threatened to leave, Helen claimed to be unwell and we discover the real reason, that she does not want June to leave her all alone. But June does leave and in the closing seconds Helen is struck down with a heart attack. A heart-breaking exploration of a doomed mother daughter relationship, very well acted.

No. 3 was called ‘Shoppers’ portraying two well to do friends and shopaholics, Rosemary (Rebecca Sharp) and Angela (Sarah Gill), who every Friday went shopping and met up afterwards to display the contents of their shopping bags. Angela is constantly quoting what her mother has said and rather fancies her life style; for example, she’s skiing for Christmas. Its when they admit that they both have taken chances and each happened to have ‘bought’ six identical items from the same store, that the penny dropped for me that their activities were not exactly honourable. Angela whimsically asks Rosemary if a duvet would be overstepping the mark! Both Rebecca and Sarah cleverly portrayed criminality which was rather fun and a surprising secret.

After the interval, a dramatic ‘Late Frost’ was portrayed by Pamela ( Kimberley Bevan) and Kate (Kerry Horne). They talk of the value of friends and Pam spoke of the men in her life and how Robin, her husband who clearly loved her, was killed in a light aircraft accident. Kate hints at Robin needing them both in his life and when it becomes clear that Kate has had a relationship with Robin, the tempo increases and the acting between Kimberley and Kerry is very strong.

Finally, ‘Dancers’ was portrayed by two Tea Dancing friends Betty (Michelle Whitfield) and Wynn (Jane Lush). Most of the time they spoke of the men at the dance and the lack of decent partners. Wynn thinks that Betty is always giving off ‘sexy’ vibes, Wynn being the more reserved of the two, but their relationship was warm and I liked the reference ‘If you’re not selling fish, don’t lay out your slab’!   For a moment , there was some excitement as two men from the earlier dance approached them on the promenade with a wave, but alas they walked straight by obviously making a beeline for others. With some amusement they concluded that it might be helpful if they started an agency, to find some decent dance partners.

Each pair of actors presented some tight dialogue at a great pace and congratulations are due to them and director Jason Moseley for an entertaining production.

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