Entertaining Angels

To quote Director Gilly Fick’s interesting note in the programme: ‘It wasn’t difficult to fall in love with this play – it was inevitable. The themes are universal and instantly recognisable, they are those that we all experience in our lives – Love, Family, Belief, Bereavement, Conflict, Commitment and Relationships’. The play is set in a vicarage garden – and what a garden! – following the death of the Vicar, and revolves around his bereaved family, and his successor in the post. It is a play of many layers, many thoughtful conversations, yet is full of marvellously funny dialogue, and extremely relatable and real characters. We grew to love them, each and every one.

Guildburys always take great care to provide an engaging and informative well-designed programme, and this one too was excellent. A short piece on the content of the play and its history was followed by a piece by the set designer, Kim Ferguson, which included the thoughts, wishes and sketches involved in that collaborative process. Unusual and fascinating. A piece by the playwright (who was present in the evening we attended, and gave an interesting Q and A after the performance) – in which he sings the praises of amateur theatre companies, saying that: ‘The commitment, expertise and very high standards of many so-called amateur companies are these days a match for, and even at times exceed, the work of established professional companies.’  How right he is!

The opinion of former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, was quoted; and there was an explanation of the vicar’s sermon on the Parable of the Fig Tree (Mark 11: 12-22); and even very handy tips (for me personally) on how to grow figs! The 5-strong cast were given the chance to comment on how they felt about the play and the character they were playing – a refreshing change from the usual cast profiles. Rehearsal photos, photos from past productions, and details of the upcoming 4 productions completed this fascinating read.

This set was stunning, the luxuriously green-lawned garden of an old vicarage, complete with real stream. There were two benches and a seating area on a patio near the house. These were placed well apart and thus gave the feeling of a really large garden. A garden wall and arched gateway; a tree with foliage and detailed bark; moss covered boulders; pond plants edging the stream; French windows with a view into the house; stone planters with flowers; grasses; bamboo; what looked like a wisteria in bloom; a beautiful blue-sky backdrop; and a greenhouse with potted flowers and seedlings on the shelves. A garden to die for. Absolutely fabulous. With such a large lawn, it was no surprise that a large lawn mower played an important role!

Both lighting and sound were excellent throughout, helping to create those evocative moments in that garden, including of course the gentle sound of the flowing water in the stream, and birdsong.

Grace was mourning the death of her husband, Bardy, who had very recently died, he had died in the garden in fact. Her daughter Jo was there to keep her company, and her missionary sister Ruth had flown over from Africa for the funeral. Of course, on the death of the vicar, the vicarage must be vacated for the successor. This new vicar, Sarah, was visiting to measure up for curtains etc. Grace just wanted to be left in peace for a few days to mourn her dear Bardy. It all seemed indecently hasty. In the few quiet moments, a man in gardening hat would potter about the greenhouse. This of course was the late lamented Bardy, and he and Grace would chat so nicely, and he’d call her ‘old bean’ and ‘old girl’.

Her sister Ruth seemed obsessed with mowing the substantial lawn, constantly interrupting Grace’s thoughts or phone calls. Irritation mounted. Finally, Ruth found a way to confess her terrible secret – her ‘episode’ with Bardy 30 years previously, that had resulted in a son, now living in Africa. Grace’s world fell apart of course. Though her wit seemed to grow ever sharper.

The ensuing discussions of this tragedy; the discovery that Jo’s marriage had failed; and the new vicar Sarah’s revelations that she also had secrets that she’d kept from the husband that she loved, meant for quite deep conversations about conflict, bereavement, relationships, love, commitment, which were peppered throughout with the most wonderful humour especially the sharp barbs of Grace. In the darkest of times, humour will always bubble to the surface. Caroline Whillans gave a masterful performance as the feisty, wonderful, quick-witted, yet vulnerable Grace.

Indeed, this fabulous cast of five brought out all the thoughts, the stresses, the irritation, the distress, the love, the interest in one another, the care for one another so well in this fine play. Their comic timing was excellent, there were some great moments of hilarity, and tender moments of gentle humour too. Congratulations to Director Gilly Fick; Caroline Whillans of course as Grace; Amy Kaye as helpful and caring daughter Jo; Kathryn Attwood as the reluctant confessor of such a dreadful mistake; Sam Remnant as the insecure, and later more settled new vicar Sarah; and Neil James as the loveable, bumbly, departed vicar and much loved husband and father Bardy. Wonderful performances from all ensured one of the finest evenings of theatre we could possibly enjoy! The West End couldn’t have done it better!

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