Entertaining Angels

ENTERTAINING ANGELS by Richard Everett is a gentle comedy following the lives of recently widowed Grace, her sister, daughter and the newly appointed vicar, in line to take the place of Grace’s deceased husband, who appears, from time to time, to ‘speak’ to Grace.    Its poignant and thoughtful as a web of previously hidden lies and home truths are revealed.    

The set was a beautiful representation of an attractive garden and included a greenhouse, garden furniture, lawn and backdrop giving the impression of a garden beyond.  There was a door off to the house.    Some of the action took place at the stream that was recreated at the front of the stage with a very impressive tree.   Logs were used as seats.  Plants and flowers decorated the set.  Props were good and included garden tools, wellies and most impressively a lawn mower. 

The costumes were very good and in keeping with their characters.   Grace and her tweed skirt and smart blouse,  gardening dungarees for her sister, Ruth.    Bardolph (or as Grace called him, Bardy), appeared in the first half all in white reflecting his ‘Angelic’ form and Sarah as the new vicar wore casual clothes and later on a black cassock.  

This was a well paced comedy with sharp and witty dialogue brought to life but a very confident cast.    Linda Johnson as Grace brought warmth to what could have been a rather cranky character; she had good rapport with her sister, Ruth, played by Jackie Kennedy especially when they were bickering and the mood changed from light harted banter to serious confronation when the big secret was revealed.    Yyvonne Fairhead played Sarah, the incoming vicar with just the right amount understanding and nervous gestures as she faced Grace but took on a more authoritative air as time passed and she was established in the vicarage.   Steph Parkin, who played Jo, was bubbly as the psychotherapist daughter who tried to bring the sisters together.    Geoff Smith completed the cast as Bardolph, recently deceased.    There were touching moments when he appeared to Grace, particularly in the scene at the stream.   Directed by Helen Tyson (who shows promise in her directoral debut) this production used the stage creatively and imaginatively, particularly the use of the passage of time and a separate area for the stream.    All aspects of ‘Entertaining Angels’ were polished and well thought out. Congratulations to all on the stage and the creative and supporting team who enabled such a high class finished product.

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