Double Trouble: A Comedy Double Bill

Sidbury Into Drama
Double Trouble: A Comedy Double Bill
A Load of Carp by Troy Banyan
Directed & Designed by Michèle Rose
When I Snap My Fingers by Bruce Adam
Directed by Maggie Knights
Sidbury Village Hall
Friday 17th October 2025

‘Tricia Barclay
NODA SW Representative District 6

This group certainly hit the spot again with a fun presentation of two entertaining One
Act Plays, playing to a full house at this performance.
The stage was set with a small paddling pool, gnomes, and tortoises, and before the
action began, we were treated to an amusing “front of house” announcement
instructing us emphatically to ignore the fire alarm in Act II, along with some
“interesting” directions to find the lavatories!

First up was A Load of Carp and the curtains opened to reveal an attractive garden
set where Ernest Moffat, in dressing-gown and pyjamas, is suffering from the
aftereffects of a breakdown. To aid his recovery he has decided to create a
therapeutic haven in his garden complete with a fishpond full of carp, hoping to
“Carpe Diem”, or at least “enjoy the moment”! Each fish had an individual carefully
chosen name beginning with C, each with significant meaning for Ernest.
Unfortunately, quite quickly his prize carp began to disappear under the cover of
darkness, causing him great angst and frustration for his wife Betty.
The two performers did sterling work as the supposedly “devoted” couple, and were
well supported by Emily, as a very disgruntled daughter and Fred an excellent
“enigma” of a boyfriend, initially hiding a privileged background.
Three very different ladies popped into the garden from time to time to voice their
opinions, always keen to “meet again” conjuring up comparisons with Shakespeare’s
Scottish play!
All three brought out the different personalities of the characters they were playing.
May, Ernest’s therapist, at one point dressed in a magnificent shell-suit, seemed
keen to get to grips with him once again. Julia, a colleague on the local council was
efficient and very corporate but showed frustration with the circumstances. Making
up the trio was near neighbour Nora, always complaining about the noise, she really
didn’t have any time for Ernest at all, and considered him to be a “stuck up snob”!
With impressive sound effects, lots of “fishy” references and plenty of red herrings
poor Ernest’s plan for a tranquil haven certainly sank like a stone!
The twist at the end revealed wife Betty to be the perpetrator of the disappearing
fish, as she had totally had enough of Ernest was taking her leave! The three ladies
announced they would not meet again and departed leaving Ernest in the willing
hands of May!
All made for great fun!

When I Snap My Fingers had the audience in stitches from the start.
The first scene took place “front of tabs” showing a sequence from a stage
hypnotist’s act. Sven Gali is putting husband and wife, Simon and Maria under his
spell, causing them both to behave very strangely when they hear certain trigger
words.
Sven was impressive, in a rather suspect wig but a fabulous, sequinned jacket, and
he skilfully manipulated the couple to do his bidding.
Unfortunately, mayhem ensues when the fire alarm sounds. Sally their daughter
rushed on stage, and all made for the exits before Sven had the chance to remove
the effects of his triggers!
The front of stage was cleared efficiently and the tabs opened to find the happy
couple back at home. Simon’s prospective new American boss Daniel and wife Dolly
arrive for dinner and events took a remarkably interesting turn!
Certain key words turned Maria from an alcoholic to a babbling wreck, then a
stripper, while Simon switched seamlessly from being a baby, believing people were
naked then performing wildly energetic pop song routines.
The American duo were very believably performed, obviously completely bemused
by the strange goings on. Daniel was played as a rather brash “Yank”, while Dolly
was a seemingly simple spouse, in a striking wig she epitomised her namesake!
Accents were good and didn’t interfere with the dialogue and there was a wonderful
moment with a zip!
Daughter Sally was very convincing. At her wits end to keep everything on track, she
showed her frustration with her parents’ antics and called Sven to the rescue in the
end!
The performers playing the “odd couple” however really did steal the show!
Simon shedding his rather “nerdy” character at the start, and transforming into a
dynamic pop star, while Maria turned from an affable housewife into a complete “sex
bomb” and “lush” – great stuff!
At this performance she also had a lovely “prompt” moment which she handled
superbly as usual!
A great evening of entertainment well deserved of the cheers and thunderous
applause at the end!

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