England Expects

It had been many years since I last saw a play performed by this society, and although the name of the play escapes
me, I know I enjoyed it so did not hesitate to agree when asked by their rep if I could review this production on her
behalf.

We were warmly greeted on arrival and shown to our seats by Chairman Jerry Thomas.
The play is set in the fictional south coast town of Floodmouth which is habitually overlooked in favour of its more
popular neighbour. The council is struggling to find ways in which to up the town’s profile and is hoping the local
Historical Society can come up with something. A resident enters the office to make a complaint and reveals a
possible family connection to the Battle of Trafalgar.

The open stage showed a split set. The council offices stage left was the smaller of the two, but perfectly adequate
with a large desk doubling as that of the Town Clerk and Leader of the Council. Pictures of Queen Elizabeth and
Margaret Thatcher were displayed alternatively, as appropriate. Stage right was a well detailed and very authentic
looking barn with a lovely coastal view from the entrance. Well done to set designer Nigel Rushbrook and his team.
There were some very good performances in this production. Sharon Goodwin as Angela, a councillor with visions of
being an MP and Silas Powell as town clerk David Ditchling, were both very convincing and a good portrayal of Alana
Christie by Michele Moody. The unavoidable absence of two of the actors at this performance meant that Jan Irving
and Nigel Rushbrook stood in as Olivia and Rufus Beardsley from the Historical Society and a very good job they
made of it.

A terrific performance by Barbara Llewellyn as Audrey Flatland. The bane of the Town Clerk’s life, she makes it her
responsibility to report, in person, everything that needs fixing in the town. I loved that she brought in a paint chart to
show which colour bulb she required in the streetlight outside her house. She had given up writing to the council
about her grievances after forty seven letters and no replies. She did though appear to have a family connection to
the Battle of Trafalgar. Something which could perhaps put the town on the map.

The action switches from 2019 to 1805 and three seamen arrive at the barn with a large barrel supposedly containing
precious cargo. But is all as it appears to be? From a missing barrel to body snatching, this was really hilarious. Very
well done to Martin Warner, Anna Sellers and Andy Grant as Captain Cruickshank, Peter and Matty. You certainly
kept us in stitches.

Supporting the main characters were Angela Riches-Heed as Nelly Appledew and Jerry Thomas, a Marine in a rather
splendid uniform.

Incidental music was good and appropriate to the time. Costumes were excellent and sound well balanced. There
were a few lighting blips, but these were soon sorted. Stage blackouts can interrupt the flow and although there were
a lot of scenes, the action moved along at a good pace.

Direction was good and acting throughout was of a very high standard. I thoroughly enjoyed this production and was
delighted to be able to have a few words after the show with the author, who happened to be in the audience.

Thank you so much for a very enjoyable evening.
Decia Ranger
Regional Rep.
NODA East, District 7
on behalf of Victoria Carey, District 8

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