Deeds Not Words

DEEDS NOT WORDS a play performed by Chorley Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (CADOS) on Friday 21st October 2022 at Chorley Theatre, Dole Lane, Chorley.

‘Deeds Not Words’ is a play written and directed by Mark Jones (CADOS Artist Director). It tells the story of Emmeline Parkhurst who became the lead campaigner in the Suffragette Movement in the early 20th Century. The story tells about the fight to get women the right to vote and how she advocated ‘Deeds’ not ‘Words’ and direct action to achieve that aim!  Running parallel and interwoven within the play we are told stories of four modern day women and their issues/struggles with Domestic Violence, Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault, Emotional/Cohesive Behaviour and the Abuse of Power to dominate a woman. 

Production Team …  This was without doubt a powerful, thought-provoking piece of theatre, written, produced and directed by the ever so experienced Mark Jones (Artistic Director).  Mark had gathered together an enthusiastic cast of twenty-seven, all of who were well-rehearsed and ready to go as soon as those lights came up!  Littered throughout this production, were some outstanding pieces of acting, although I must admit, as a person tasked with writing a review, I did find it difficult, at times, especially during the interwoven modern-day scenes, piecing together who was who, but we got there in the end!  Congratulations Mark… job well done sir!

The Cast… as most will know by now, this is where I ‘stick my neck out’ and start selecting favourites…MY favourites… ask anyone else present and they will probably select others… but these are my four-favourite performances or scenes… My ‘showstealer’ was our leading lady Emma Hardacre who took on the role of ‘Emmeline Pankhurst’ and played that part wonderfully well.  Confident, totally believable, used her voice ever so well to convey character and power… a perfect fit for this role… be ever so proud Emma, great job!  Cheating just a little when I select three for the price of one… ‘Christabel’, ‘Sylvia’ and ‘Adela’ (Daughters of Emmeline) played ever so well by Jade Hiatt, Natalie Aspinall and Rebecca Moran respectively. All three created totally believable characters who worked ever so well together. Blessed with great stage presence, great diction, all three were ideal for these parts…well done ladies, great job!  We then had Heather Ayrmax’s portrayal of the deceased Emily Davison; the Suffragette killed in June 1913 when it was believed she was trying to stop King George’s horse win The Derby at Epsom.  Heather appeared in a white dress and sat front/centre on stage on a chair with a single spot light above her where she delivered a truly powerful monologue... you could have heard a ‘pin drop’… be ever so proud Heather!  My final choice was one of the ‘modern scenes’… the ‘Abuse of Power’ by the Film Director – ‘Hugh Watkins’ against a female actress ‘Sara Mason’ played by Jacob Lee-Prince and Robyn Burns respectfully.  Again, a powerful scene involving a lecherous predator and his female victim… brilliant acting, totally believable… be ever so proud you two!   

The remaining principle cast members included… Ciaran McGhee who was the perfect fit for the role of ‘Richard Pankhurst’, husband to Emmeline and father to the three girls; a barrister and socialist who was a strong supporter of women's rights. Zoe Jones played ‘Edith Rigby’, the arsonist who burned down Lord Leverhulme's house in Rivington in 1913.  Great opening scene, well-acted by Zoe with wonderful visual effects that helped enhanced the scene so much, be proud!  Another one of the modern scenes involved Nicola Preston and Fraser Bruce who took on the roles of ‘Sharon’ and ‘Neil’ and made these roles believable! This scene involved ‘Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault’.  Again, really well-acted…be proud!  The final two interwoven modern-day scenes were played amazingly well by Tess Lucas and John Holland as ‘Ruth’ and ‘Tony’ respectively.  Ruth was trapped in her home being monitored 24/7 by cameras and video equipment installed by her totally controlling husband… she wanted to leave but couldn’t due to threats of exposure by the husband! The final modern-day inclusion, was a relationship between ‘Emma Porter’ and ‘Joe’ played amazing well by Emma Boyle and Josh Chadwick. Trust and jealously issues were involved which ended in ‘Domestic Violence’ with Ruth’ being the subject of the attacks.  Emma was to progress her career and ends up speaking with and advising in an official capacity the other three women ‘Sara Mason’, ‘Sharon’ and ‘Ruth’, with differing results!

Making up the ensemble we had ten ladies who portrayed ‘Suffragettes’… Cathy Hurley, Jenny Hurley,Mandy Howarth, Janet Newsham, Sandra Brindle, Cheryl Hardiman, Lesley Johnson, Barbara Levis, Susan Ruff and Jan Stanley, well done ladies. (In his programme note Mark Jones dedicates this play to Cathy Hurley who he describes as a campaigner and an inspiration) 

Staging/Technical … again, in his programme notes, Mark Jones suggests that it was always his intention to use a minimalistic set, which this was… this would allow the characters to come to the fore which it did.  The use of ‘lighting, video, special effects and musical inclusion’ enhanced this production so much, so it congrats to Ellie Brown (Stage Manager) and to Shaun McManus and his ‘Set Team’; it’s also congrats to Paul Carr (Lighting/Sound and Visual Effects), Paul did an amazing job with the lighting, videos and visual effects which really did enhance this production.  Assisting Paul, as always, were members of Chorley Youth Theatre plus Jasmine Davenport and Ewen Ditchburn… be proud folk…great work, great job!

Costumes and Props were amazing and again added so much to the overall production.  Charades Theatrical Costume Hire and Sandra Dickenson should be congratulated for those amazing costumes and Nathan Benson for keeping an eye on the props… well done guys first class job!

Thank you so much for inviting me… thoroughly enjoyed the show and can’t wait to see your next production!

Stay safe and keep well…
‘STRONGER TOGETHER’

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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