Fairway to Heaven

~~Several first for me at this performance – a first visit to the Chrysalis Theatre (a nice modern venue) a first viewing of this play and a first contact with a play by Diaha Raffle and I believe a first as director for Sarah Marshall.
The general theme of Fairway to Heaven is easily recognisable as the old repertory type of farce which very much depends on slick action.  On the whole this was achieved by the company and director although I felt that the piece could have done with a couple more performances to get totally – there is always a bit of a gap between rehearsal and performance.
I found the title of the play a little mystifying too as the main thrust of the action was not set on a golf course (or even the 19th hole!) but in an ancestral home.  Life is not going well for Trevor (Steve Allen), both his job and marriage are on the rocks and to make matters worse, while practicing his golf strokes he breaks a potentially priceless artefact belonging to his wife Cheryl (Pauline Gruner).  With “help” from his friend Mark (Bob Todd) he evolves a plan which (should it work) would solve all his problems.  Part of the plan is to stage a burglary at the house as there have been a number of break ins’ in the area.  Naturally the bona fide burglars choose that nice to break into the house while Lade Jeluina (Shirley Jones) is holding a murder mystery evening – so the stage is set for Trevor’s best laid plans to go away and he is forced into ever more desperate measures to wriggle out of his predicament – chaos ensures!!
This was a good, solid company show and therefore no stand out star but each actor had worked hard on their characterisation making them all believable.  There was excellent team work in evidence – essential to any farce.

The set was well appointed with appropriate lighting and sound effects.  Well done to everyone involved and especially to Sarah Marshall on her first foray into directing.

This was a really light hearted piece of entertainment which provided many laughs for the audience – just right for a warm summer evening.  Thank you for inviting me – my friend and I enjoyed our evening with you all.

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