Eager Beavers

The Longton Players, founded in 1992, stages a diverse programme each year, from murder mysteries and one-act plays to dramas and comedies. Their latest production, Eager Beavers by Andy Bennison, was a lively and sharply written comedy that delivered a fast-paced evening of laughter and kept the audience thoroughly engaged throughout.

Set in a busy charity shop, Eager Beavers follows the lives and misadventures of a group of volunteers whose daily routine is anything but ordinary. Between sorting donations, dealing with difficult customers, and managing personal dramas, the staff find themselves in a series of increasingly hilarious situations. Beneath the laughter flows gentle undercurrents of friendship, belonging, and the search for purpose in life’s most unexpected corners.

Direction by James Miley was confident and well judged, with a clear, creative vision that gave the production both pace and polish. The director understood the rhythm of Bennison’s writing and the balance needed between the comedy and the more heartfelt moments. Pacing and energy were excellent throughout, keeping the audience laughing and invested.

The production made clever and imaginative use of the compact stage. The set, designed by Geoff Thompson, John Worrall-McBride, and Jill Thomson, convincingly recreated a bustling charity shop, complete with clothing racks and bric-a-brac shelves. 

Every prop and costume element, provided by Members of the Players, Val Sumner, and ‘All Dressed Up’, was thoughtfully selected to enhance the authenticity of the setting and reflect each character’s personality, from practical and sensible to flamboyant and quirky, reinforcing the comedy through strong visual characterisation.

Credit must also go to Lighting and Sound Designer John Tipping. The scene was established with a lively soundtrack that played before the show and continued during scene changes, keeping the atmosphere consistent. The use of projection at the back of the stage, showing a bustling high street with passing buses, cars, and pedestrians outside the shop window, was particularly impressive and drew an audible ripple of appreciation from the audience when the curtains first opened. This clever visual touch created the illusion that we, the audience, were sitting inside the shop, watching life go by outside.

At the heart of the production was Jill Thompson as Agnes, the manager of the charity shop. Jill delivered an excellent performance, bringing strong stage presence and quality acting to every scene she was in. Her natural timing and expressive delivery made Agnes both engaging and authentic. Two standout performances came from Charlie Jones as Julie and Ben Percival as Colin. Charlie’s portrayal was engaging; she brought charm, innocence, and a sense of comic timing that immediately endeared her to the audience. Ben Percival’s Colin had a physicality and timing reminiscent of Lee Evans, combining humour with heart. Both performers drew waves of laughter throughout the evening, and their ability to stay in character during extended moments of audience laughter was impressive. The rest of the cast also delivered excellent performances, creating believable, well-rounded characters and maintaining strong chemistry and focus throughout, which contributed greatly to the overall energy and success of the production.

From the start, audience engagement was immediate and enthusiastic. On occasion, some audience members became a little too involved, calling out humorous or encouraging comments mid-performance. While this could easily throw even a seasoned professional, the cast handled it with composure, never breaking character or losing focus. This was a testament to their preparation and teamwork.

Eager Beavers is not an easy play to perform. It demands sharp comedic timing, energy, and seamless pacing, all of which the Longton Players delivered with confidence. The humour relies on stereotypes and fast-moving exchanges that could fall flat if not directed and performed with precision. This production avoided those pitfalls. It was lively, tightly executed, and full of heart.

The result was a thoroughly enjoyable evening of theatre. Congratulations to everyone involved on an excellent achievement that left the audience laughing, smiling, and entertained.

 

 

 

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