Double Vision

Jenny Whur directs her fifth Eric Chappell play (yes, she’s a big fan!), this time taking on Double Vision - a comedy for Tyldesley Little Theatre, with a small cast of three.  It states it’s a comedy and that’s what we got - I certainly laughed out loud! Slow to start, but on reflection it’s a marathon not a sprint with small cast. With well-drawn characters growing on you and Jenny coaxes the cast in twist and turns in the plot - it certainly kept my guest and I guessing where we were going with this web of lies. Eric Chappell died earlier this year aged 88, he was also known for writing the tv series ‘Home To Roost’ and’ Only when I Laugh’ with political statements still relevant today - Eric Chappell would have been proud of TLT’s show.

The curtain opens to Abba’s ‘Money Money Money’ to reveal a living room with two-seater settee centre stage and matching armchair stage right. Two dressers adorn the stage on the back wall with various ornaments and the red boxing gloves. Ships wheel complete with fairy light (an impulse buy) is stage right. Dining table and chairs upstage. Doors upstage right leading to the kitchen and stage left to the rest of the house and front door. The audience fourth wall is the fire, mirror and door to balcony. Set Design Eddie Stanley and Paul Whur, Set Construction and Decoration Eddie Stanley, Ian Hunter and Paul Whur.

Lighting and Sound was appropriate and unobtrusive by Peter Gower, Paul Whur and Operation Karen Ward and Paul Whur.

Costume and Make-up were all fitting by Margaret Speakes and cast members.

The over-cooked steak smoke just right theatrically.

The whole cast must be congratulated on learning all those lines and performing great characters - they must have had fun!

Alex Clarke takes on the character of Arthur Spinks, the myopic ex-boxer that actually never won a bout. Myopic means ‘short-sighted or lacking foresight or intellectual insight’...well, Arthur Spinks certainly has no intellectual insight as to where his schemes and lies will lead him. His quest for friendship and love and his mother’s words still haunting him are what drive him. Loved his line “You haven’t got a reputation - you’re a pisshead!” to Kingsley and his line “Laid out like lamb and lettuce” I had to google (go on, do it!). He had great rapport with the two other actors and knows how to deliver a line

Connor Parkinson as Kingsley was the perfect foil for Arthur. An actor having to play drunk all the time is something and I can imagine is quite tiring - it’s not an easy feat. Connor handled this well (I did wonder about his bladder!) With bottle or glass in hand or even drinking others when he wasn’t trying to set the kitchen on fire. Great line “She’s a black note short of a keyboard”! Connor and Alex worked the comedy. Connor is turning into an accomplished actor this being his largest role to date.

Gemma Manfredi took on the role of the twin sisters Dawn Pringle and Donna Miller. Wow! what a challenge for an actor. They could not be more different - one church going, sensitive, unsure, agitated and a modest dresser while the other sister - let’s just say would eat any man alive and spit out the pips while in heels. The sisters never to be seen on stage together for more reasons than you think. Gemma looked to relish this role. If the audience watch closely the clues are there, but I only saw them after the event.  What a delight to get to play such a role and do it well.

Tyldesley Little Theatre cast, crew and committee must be really proud - well done!

A big thank you from my guest and I for making us once again feel so welcome

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

 

 

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