Farndale Avenue TWG Macbeth

I was so looking forward to seeing this production knowing the script and that it is probably the funniest I’ve witnessed, for everything that could possibly go wrong just does and at this point I must add it’s supposed to – and this production was certainly fast paced getting it wrong from beginning to end and was stomach achingly funny.

Action commenced on trying to purchase raffle tickets where Sarah Bragoli was already in perfect character as Chairwoman of the Guild Mrs Reece – prim, and plum, using such expressions as ‘toodle pip’ smartly drssed with a perfected short wavy hairdo plus her Mrs Thatcher handbag which featured throughout. Excitedly she opens, front of closed curtains introducing Mr Peach, theatre critic, the adjudicator for the group’s version of the Scottish play. She is optimistic that after nine months of rehearsals full of drama, laughs and tears spurred on by umpteen cuppas and delicious culinary delights from Mrs Dabney, of reaching the Guild’s Drama Festival Area Finals!!  Mr Peach seated side stage at a small table patiently observes the proceedings and he almost becomes a fruit salad by the confused Mrs Reece. Opening is delayed only to find the actors and scenery are actually set the wrong way round with the audience behind them! With further apologetic delay the hilarious plot continued with one disaster after the other with Mrs Reece constantly trying to smooth things out. Bearded Tom Miller played Henry the hapless SM who reluctantly takes on the role of Lady Macbeth when the actress for the part has taken the wrong bus and therefore will miss the whole performance. With the performers multi-tasking the many characters for bizarre reasons, chaos runs riot with wrong entrances, wrong costumes and repeating of lines, serious Shakespeare quotes, and some interesting interjections too! Over acting of the ghost who will not lie down, suspect duelling, interesting costuming, lost specs, leg breaking legs mid-performance, a variety of iffy props curtesy of Jenny Turner with hit and miss lighting and sound effects. No wonder the play overran! And let’s face it this gallant effort would never make the TWG Drama Final and certainly was not quite the ‘Macbeth’ I remember studying for English Literature GCE!

Creating a reversing set was quite the task but with his usual skill Trevor Lewing devised the way which worked very well with the three archways leaving a passageway at the back for some crazy action with the three hags around their caldron and various actors appearing trying not to be seen! Technically of course was the challenge of making sure that the things that go wrong are right, so timings were crucial and both Keith Miller’s lighting design with Carol Sharpe enjoying the computerised system and with Ron on sound they mastered arranged chaos.

Certainly a challenge for the joint Directors Kate and Charlotte with Charlotte multi-tasking and playing various roles too using her wonderful facial expressions, fanfare expertise and costumes as Felicity being Witch 2, Seyton, Malcolm, a Gentlewoman and 1st Murderer. John Buckle was a flamboyant Mr Peach who sat observing the incredibility, scribbling with his finale costume change into full drag as he was running late for the Drag Ball he was attending

after his adjudication comments. Congratulations to Margie Pocock for her array of costumes -  notable was Tom in period long dress, trumpet sleeves complete with wimple which brushed the top of the arches, however the white off the shoulder number with his heavy boots topped that for elegance!

So many comedic moments I could mention, so credit to Sharon Gordon keeping a straight face as Minnie who’s lost her voice and whispered, a ghost that will not lie down, Banquo and Lady M’s son. Hayley as Dawn becoming a Witch number 2, Porter, brutal Murderer, Duncan and Fleance. Liz Webb was Kate as  the 3rd wild Witch, Macduff and a Messenger, Clare Kennison-Cook as Thelma was a striking strong very active Macbeth plus Ross with finally Richard Baszezak standing most of the performance side stage, being not only the Producer of the play but a dubious Plummer and also Prompt.

The organised chaos was such fun to watch, and I congratulate you all for getting it so right. Thanks must also go to those unseen heroes who make a production like this possible.

 

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