Don't You Want Me?

I would like to thank The Hall Players for inviting me to a performance of ‘Don’t You Want Me?’ at Preston Playhouse on Saturday 22nd October. This was the premiere of a new play by local playwright Andy Bennison, with whom The Hall Players have previously collaborated.  What a thoroughly entertaining evening this was and everybody involved; front of house, production team, cast and crew are to be congratulated on what was an excellent production!

All the action takes place in the now run down Craven Street Community Centre, which we learn is due for demolition, but which in the 1980s, was the venue for many a legendary disco. It is fitting then, that the final event to be held at the venue before the bulldozers roll in, is an 80s themed school reunion organised by Diana. Cue an evening full of 80s pop hits, booze, dancing around handbags, reminiscing and for some, the re-opening of old wounds.

My first impression was of how convincing the set was; it was very believeable as a tired-looking, old community centre which had not benefitted from general maintenance or an update in decor for many years. Although it was a basic set up of tables and chairs, a bar and two working doors to the male/female toilets, it looked very authentic and really helped create the atmosphere of the piece - well done to Paul Armitt, Ian Kennedy, Chris Kerry and Clive Nixon. The play benefitted from very effective direction by Steve Dobson and seamlessly involved appropriate interaction with the audience to draw us into the action as onlookers to the unfolding story, as if we were also present at the reunion. I enjoyed this aspect of the production very much and it allowed for some impressive and entertaining character entrances and exits!

Costumes were very good and authentic as typical 80s outfits for those characters not in fancy dress. Those dressed as music icons were in very accurate costumes, hair and make-up. The quick change from downtrodden housewife Jane to Kate Bush was brilliant! Voice projection and diction were excellent throughout and character interactions were very natural and easy to watch, so I felt completely relaxed and able to enjoy the story, following the plot lines with ease. The cast as a whole are to be commended on their strong characterisations which never slipped, even when spending prolonged periods of time in the background of the action on stage. Particular congratulations go to Ty Aron Pitcher who was on stage from start to finish as bar tender Ryan. He remained engaged as his character throughout without drawing attention away from the prominent action when he wasn’t involved in it - not an easy task but well executed.

This brings me on to the sound, which I felt was very well controlled throughout in both timing and volume. Ryan, the bar tender character, was also the DJ for the party in that he was controlling the party music from his tablet. Either Ty was doing this for real on stage or the timing between him pressing his tablet screen and Pete Dewdney (assisted by Paul Armitt) operating the sound was impeccable! Also, some of the characters were attending the party in fancy dress such as Suggs, Adam Ant and Toni Basil and made their initial entrances to a blast of appropriate songs which were then levelled so as to be audible but sit perfectly under the ensuing dialogue - nicely done.

This really was a very strong ensemble performance with many notable moments. Carol Buckley’s impressive entrance as Karen really set the comedic tone for the evening and I loved her as a character. She interacted with the audience as if we were fellow party guests and did this so well, that one audience member could be heard asking another to whom Karen had directed some dialogue, if they knew her (they didn’t)! Her characterisation was so genuine it was easy to forget you were watching an actress at work and this was partly due to Carol letting the script do the work, delivering the dialogue in a very natural way without overplaying lines for laughs, which is often a very fine balance. A super performance Carol, which I enjoyed very much - bravo!

I felt Gill Kerry did a splendid job of initially convincing us that her character Amanda had been the annoyingly pretty, sporty, popular but still pleasant girl at school. She then gradually revealed her catty, judgemental nature as her history of being the school bully became apparent. Another character with a great arc was Mick played by Clive Nixon. When we first meet him, making his very bold entrance to a blast of House of Fun by Madness, it’s obvious he was very popular at school, probably the class clown and appears a very likeable chap but as the alcohol flows, we slowly become aware of less positive aspects of his character as his controlling, derogatory attitude towards his wife comes to the fore and he is violent towards Gary, who he has obviously been close mates with. It is testament to Clive’s performance that I really didn’t see this coming in advance of it playing out in front of me; well done Clive!

Paul Sylvester’s entrance to Prince Charming as Gary, dressed up as Adam Ant, was memorable indeed - he was fully committed to this humourous, likeable character throughout and played a harmlessly pleasant yet over confident drunk very well. The clever plot twist at the end involving Diana, played by Ruth Fraser, was made all the more believeable thanks to Ruth’s portrayal of this highly strung woman who turns out not to be who we’re led to believe she is. She did a great job of subtly incorporating the pain and confidence-sapping trauma of having been mercilessly bullied at school into her performance, so that when we learn this about her, it obviously fits the character we’ve come to know.

Maureen Nickson’s performance as Jane was simply outstanding! She had significantly less dialogue than other characters which called for enhanced acting skill; she initially convinced me she was simply a socially awkward introvert who was a little embarrassed by her far more outgoing, ‘life and soul of the party’ husband Mick. As time went on, despite not being involved in a lot of the action, she gradually revealed through her facial expression, posture and reactions that the real Mick is of a more sinister nature and she is likely a victim of domestic violence or at least the emotional and mental abuse of a controlling relationship. Again, it is this very gradual, skilful reveal that makes this revelation about Clive the shock that it is. Add to this her brilliant makeover as Kate Bush  and rendition of Wuthering Heights towards the end of the party and this really was a stand out performance of which Maureen should be very proud!

The aforementioned cast were very ably supported by two characters of a younger generation; Courtney and Maddison brilliantly played by Hayley Morris and Diana Jackson respectively. Courtney is the brash and promiscuous single mother daughter of Amanda, who would clearly rather be anywhere other than at a lame party with all her mother’s friends. Hayley had developed a very strong character and did a great job of delivering her blunt and often very funny dialogue. She actually joined the audience at one stage as Courtney stomped off to sit on the opposite side of the room from her mother, asking the audience “Is anyone sat here?” - a really nice touch. Madison is Courtney’s more down to earth, caring, less self-absorbed friend and voice of reason and I felt she was very sensitively played by Diana. The moments when she was a listening ear at the bar for Ryan and Gary were very genuine. Again, she had some humourous dialogue which was authentically delivered, very much in character, which made it even funnier. Diana created a really likeable, natural character - well done!

My guest and I enjoyed this production very much from the 80s tunes to the many belly laughs to the heartbreaking plot twists. I really look forward to the privilege of seeing more productions by The Hall Players in the future.

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