Entertaining Angels

This play by Richard Everett is one of the Guild's 2016 -17 season. It has some hard hitting themes in it which were all handled very sympathetically by the actors. As the programe notes say "The play's themes of loss, faith, and betrayal are all handled with sensitivity, thoughtfulness and a definite sprinkling of comedy.

The basis of the play is Grace's (Anne Aldridge) husband Bardolph (Chris Belford) has recently died. He was the priest in a country parish somewhere in England. Grace's daughter Jo (Hayley White) has returned home to help out during this traumatic time. Ruth (Gilly Fraser), Grace's sister has also returned from Africa, where she has been a missionary in Africa for 30 years. Also appearing is Sarah (Andrea Thompson-Medd), a new priest who is coming to take over the parish. Nobody but Grace can see Bardolph as he is in her mind, but they have conversations about his journey into the next world. Ruth reveals that she and Bardy had a one off fling, with the result being a son , which is the main reason she went to Africa. This obviously sets the emotional roller coaster on its tracks and the interaction between the characters was excellently played bringing out the argument and counter arguments about the rights and wrongs this event has caused over the years. Sarah gets drawn into the situation and she reveals in a private conversation with Jo that she is intending to turn down the parish as she does not feel ready for the responsibility and that she had had a termination some time ago, and this has preyed on her over the years with the resultant questioning of her faith. However, after clearing the air somewhat they all realise that life must go on, not as before but having discussed the scenarios raised are now able to cope with the future in their own ways.

Anne Aldridge is a stalwart of the GOP and this part was huge with some complicated dialogue and a whole range of emotions displayed. Other than the interval, she spent little time off stage and it is a credit to her that she carried off this role with apparent ease. Her other cast members all played their parts excellently with a natural flow and confidence, evidenced by the comfortable way they interacted with each other. Each one has different levels of experience playing in dramatic roles and they all supported each other as was necessary in portraying a family on the edge of some major revelations.

As the story unfolds and cupboard doors are opened to release the resident skeletons the tension in the play gets tighter. The whole cast handled all of their parts superbly and displayed the relevant emotions as the story unfolds.

I thoroughly enjoyed this production and whilst it was light hearted in general there was a whole range of difficult subject matter to prise open and Sandy MacDougal the Director managed to get the actors to do this very well, with dignity and ease.

Thank you for an "entertaining" evening

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