Duets

Duets
Written by: Peter Quilter
Directed by: Janet Astley
Performed by: Portishead Players
Venue: Somerset Hall
Date: 10th October 2025
Noda Rep: Mike Purnell

Thanks so much once again for your lovely warm welcome from Lynda and
Kim which was extended to Stephen our newest Noda Rep. He was thrilled
to join me, and totally agreed with me there is such a sense of passion, talent
and a genuine sense of community which shines through in The Portishead
Players.
I was so sorry to hear of all the problems in the hall. This must have been a
complete nightmare for you all to deal with, but deal with it you did! I certainly
wouldn’t have known, and just thought you were trying something different. I
realise time must have been of the essence and although the essentials were
on the set I did think it lacked a bit of dressing. A nice big plant and a rug
wouldn’t have gone a miss, but completely understand you would have had
to draw the line somewhere in order to get these four one act plays to the
stage.
I didn’t know this play at all but had read the premise of all four plays and
was looking forward to it very much. The idea of having “In Two Time” to
entertain us during scene changes was a super idea. I loved the choice of
songs which were all very apt. Very enjoyable.

BLIND DATE
A light hearted and relatable exploration into the nervous energy and quiet
hope of two people meeting for the first time. The director certainly captured
the awkward charm of the situation with warmth and humour.
JONATHAN brought a gentle sincerity to the role, beautifully capturing the
character’s hesitations and vulnerabilities. There was a lovely authenticity in
your performance that made the character feel very real. At times, the
delivery felt slightly measured, which suited the character’s introspective
nature — though occasionally this affected the overall pacing.
There were also some genuinely funny moments between the two characters
that deserved space to breathe. A brief pause after the punchlines would
have allowed the audience to enjoy those laughs more fully. It’s always a
challenge rehearsing comedy without an audience, but once you’re on stage,

trust your instincts and listen for the response — those moments are yours
to enjoy too.
WENDY handled her role with composure and clarity, offering a steady
presence throughout the play. Your timing and reactions helped anchor the
scene and brought great dynamics between the two characters.
Well done both and not easy going first!

SECRETARIAL SKILLS
An exploration into complexities of identity, attraction and the masks worn in
everyday life. This production offered moments of humour and insight with
both characters embracing the play’s quirky rhythm and emotional
undercurrents.
BARRIE brought energy and enthusiasm to the role, clearly enjoying the
characters flamboyant flair. I just felt at times this portrayal leaned a little too
heavily into stereotype which slightly overshadowed the emotional nuance of
the character. A more grounded approach might have allowed the audience
to connect more deeply with his journey.
JANET gave a steady and composed performance offering a calm
counterbalance to the more exaggerated moments. Your presence helped
anchor the scene and gave a sense of realism. Despite contrasting styles
both characters interaction created moments of genuine connection and a
some good comedic moments.

THE HOLIDAY
This was a delightful and touching play that blends sharp humour with
emotional depth, exploring the bittersweet realities of relationships,
expectations and the quiet ache of missed connections. All this wrapped up
in a holiday setting that is anything but relaxing!
SHELLEY brought a vibrant energy to the stage, balancing comedic timing
with moments of vulnerability that gave her character real heart. This
performance captured the frustration and hope of someone trying to hold it
all together, and you carried the emotional weight of the piece with grace.
BOBBY was equally engaging, delivering lines with a dry wit and subtle
charm that made your character both exasperating and endearing. Your
portrayal added layers to the humour, and when the emotional beats landed,
they did so with surprising poignancy.
Together you both created a dynamic that was both hilarious and heartfelt.
Your chemistry gave the play its pulse and the tension between laughter and
longing was beautifully played.
 

The Bride to Be
What a gem of a play! It delivers both sharp comedy and emotional insight.
Set against a backdrop of pre-wedding jitters and tangled relationships, both
actors brought out the chaos, charm and confusion that can arise when love
and loyalty collide.
ANGELA gave us a wonderfully spirited performance, capturing the
characters blend of nerves, determination and vulnerability with ease. Your
comedy timing was spot on and you were able to show us the emotional
shifts with natural flair that certainly kept the audience engaged.
TOBY matched Angela’s energy beautifully, bringing a dry wit and expressive
physicality to the role. The comedic moments were strong and together you
both created moments that were genuinely laugh-out-loud funny. The
chemistry between both characters was a highlight - playful, tense and at
times unexpectedly tender. You both got into a good pace and rhythm
making the absurdity feel relatable. Overall this was a joy to watch and we all
left the theatre smiling.

Costumes
Well done Sarah for taking the helm on this. I imagine it wasn’t too difficult as
I would think most people wore their own clothes and I must say all were
completely adequate and did the job. The wedding dress was a particular
highlight with the bodice being able to rip off, that was extremely funny.
Collating costumes is always a task and this was done very well indeed.

Director
You delivered an engaging and entertaining evening, guiding the cast through
these series of plays with warmth and clarity. Each piece had its own rhythm
and tone and the overall flow kept the audience invested throughout.
The second half of the evening felt particularly well rehearsed with tighter
pacing and more confident performances that allowed the humour to shine
through therefore were more effective. It was clear you had worked closely
with all the casts to bring out the best in each scene. There were just a few
moments where timing could have been a bit sharper but the overall
production was thoughtfully staged and full of charm. Your vision allowed the
actors to shine, and gave the audience a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Once again thank you Portishead Players for your hospitality and another
lovely evening. I hope the hall gets sorted for you for the next production.
Best wishes
Mike

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