Dirty Dusting

Farnworth Performing Arts Company have a new venue - the Peace Hall Community Theatre - to put on Dirty Dusting - a play by Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood.

Walking into the theatre the audience is greeted with the scene of an office, three office tables with chairs and office paraphernalia. Stage left a brown leather settee with drinks trolly at the side and at the back of the wall is a locker and various files and office stationery piled up and cleaning products and coat stand are at the back. Centre back a table where brews are made, giving the feel that these ladies do little cleaning. The trees in pots on the apron at each side of the stage filled the blank space well.  Light and sound played a part and that was down to Joanna Sweet and Natalie Sweet. Costume and Hair were all in keeping. Wardrobe Vivien Nicolls

It this era of the Act Your Age Campaign it’s good to see a play for the woman of a certain age. For three of them it was a lot to learn - carrying the dialogue for most of the play. Lines were at times lost, but the hiatus it created was quickly covered. Tom Townsend directs and it’s clear to see all the funny lines landed (you may have heard me laugh out loud!). The reluctant women soon get into their stride with their newfound employment. On a rainy afternoon in Bolton it was just what the doctor ordered, the title Dirty Dusting did not disappoint with innuendoes and just outright say it like it is flying around, the cast and director must surely have had fun with this - well done!

The only male in the play Bryon Mycroft takes on the cameo role of Dave. Talk about setting a character up for a fall. His entrance as the nightmare superior ready to put the ladies out to pasture at the beginning, they then witness his call to his mum that he still lives with and his last entrance he brought on great energy to give the ending a lift - it was hilarious! I will never look at my vacuum cleaner in the same light.

Sarah Pilkington as Olive was the brains behind their newfound career as she had been a guide leader and had planning skills, she clearly had the experience as she reveals her long time affair with the scout master. Great scene when telling Elsie about it on the settee.

Helen Dickinson takes on the role of Gladys. I did struggle to hear at the beginning some of what was said. Maybe that was nerves as it picked up in the second act. Gladys out of the three is happy with her lot and has a happy marriage. But it’s a about to get happier, ending up with hubby in hospital and ‘proud’ (!). Recalling her story about their night of passion six times – well, five and half - was hilarious.

Elsie played by Catherine Bland who was obsessed with death and excited about the open day at Overdale crematorium really kept the energy up and drove it through. Good characterisation and Catherine worked well with Sarah and Helen.

I think the second act definitely had more energy and hats off ladies for taking on that mammoth task. Thank you for the laughs and thank you for the invite.

Congratulations to cast and crew

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

‘Theatre allows us to escape reality’.

D5 Rep

 

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