Flying Feathers

This production of Flying Feathers by Derek Benfield was hilarious. I chatted to the director before the performance. He said “he just wanted to make people laugh”. Well he certainly did with this production. The audience were permanently in stitches laughing at the antics as the story unfolded.

The set was very colourful and well thought out, with flowers outside the window, a leather sofa, drinks cabinet and doors on either side of the stage. The costumes were great with Polly, Debbie, Sally and Jackie bravely being scantily clad. Then transforming to a maid or in boots and farm clothes to tend the pigs or chickens. The story line begins with Henry Potterton who was a very strong character as a chief constable and his sister Sarah arriving at their brother Bernard’s house .Bernard was away in the Orkney Isles living as a monk.

Henry played his part well. Well done to this actor as he was also playing the twin brother Bernard and had some quick costume changes. His sister Sarah was a very naive character, frightened of the cows outside and excited by the thought of a “house of sin” and her brother being a ghost. She played her part well. On arrival at the countryside property, there are several scantily clad young ladies and a new housekeeper, Mrs Winthrop. Mrs Winthrop was played excellently. Realising she might get into trouble for running a house of ill repute, she does everything she can to get the girls to dress respectably and to get male clients out the door or in the cupboard. Client Roger Featherstone turns up dressed as a vicar and Mr Tunnicliffe, a solicitor arrives on horseback to deliver the news that Henry’s brother Bernard is dead. With Henry brandishing a shotgun, Tunnicliffe and Featherstone run for cover and hide. Comedy and chaos ensues with the window cleaner, supposedly dead being transported in the laundry basket. Bernard appears in his monk’s habit which both confuses and frustrates Polly. Sarah thinks he is a ghost causing Sally and Jackie to run off screaming.

This was an excellent performance and credit must go to Polly,Debbie, Sally and Jackie who contributed much comedy and chaos to this production. An enjoyable evening of entertainment with a great deal of laughter.Thank you for inviting me.

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