Deckchairs and Streuth

Jean Clarke put together a very interesting and entertaining evening with the mix of ‘Deckchairs’ offering three duologues with a twist plus the farcical murder mystery ‘Streuth’. And to break the play mood, to add an enticement out of semi-retirement for professional Jo Oxborough to add in a show song or two and that special ‘Joyce Grenfell’, a good balance.

Three from five of the Deckchairs specials and carefully chosen for the castings, all set on the promenade at the seaside. In ‘Shoppers’ Jac Gatfield and Di Reeve were almost beside themselves as they vied for their successful trophies gained through the shopping ventures, very amusing and even more so with the twist of tale at the end, well delivered and good timing. ‘Early Blight’ was much deeper with the personalities of mother and daughter well delivered, Lesley Dillon and Judy Ellson excellent foils for each other as the bullying and resentment and excuses and retribution came to the surface, certainly the two characters observed the details and made us a part of this action, timing and pauses worked well, and the finale too. And to ‘Dancers’ with the two widows Lyndsey King and Christine Castle analysing all participants and dissecting situations and friends at the Tea Dances attended, quite witty and well timed, and no need for words, just watch the mobile and expressive face of Lyndsey to emphasise the amusing incidents. These three playlets ideal to offer some good character studies for the six ladies.

And to the one-act Streuth a murder mystery to raise funds for the church by their amateur drama group, and anything that could go wrong, just did. Even the loss of the body at the opening! A Sherlock Holmes type with hat and pipe but not so decisive from Paul Reynolds, supposedly in charge, challenged for importance by Neil Ellson as Oliver D’Arcy and John King as Major, but think the Inspector won. Wife and son D’Arcy put in their oars for the dialogue, plus James and Eliza trying hard to intervene, and the Vicar Jac Gatfield kept popping up. The whole thing quite ridiculous, the doors without glass and handles, even part of set falling down, we just kept laughing at these events, and the prompt of Lyndsey King was determined to be a part of the action. A fun play for all.

A good light entertaining evening to please residents of Mundesley and holiday-makers alike and give all a laugh.

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