Four Short Plays

 When David Ross had to withdraw from ‘Under Milk Wood’ because of ill health, it was an excellent idea to open up for directors and new members by putting a good mix selection of short plays to offer more opportunities in the society.

Paul Reynolds is fully acquainted with the comedy stakes because of involvement with pantomime, so ‘Alright on the Night’ was bound to come together well and exploit the views of a pre-dress rehearsal with time running out! With seven in the cast and all well- developed characters, this was a good choice to show off talents, and how fellow thespians could see the situations and sympathise. Ian Cashmore as caretaker/cleaner Fred found himself imposed on and persuaded to fill in first as stage manager into actor by a very dominant chair/director Mavis who ‘was in charge and Lesley Dillon made certain of this. And then to the actors, lead Lynda from Judy Ellson (quite a prima donna), lovey Julian from Nick Davison, with their bickering, and the Burtons as prompt Gladys (Pat Dawson) and escapee Bill from Dave Turrell causing major problems for rehearsal and performance, not to mention a rigid WPC on rules by Val Newell. Did we resolve why Bill was found at the wrong end of village, why the kitchen door was locked and thus preventing entry to stage left, and did the show progress to the stage: an amusing piece from Lazy Bees Scripts.

Change of set, style and period for ‘Now and Then’ which proved to be dramatic and different with 17th century overlapping and interacting with present day, and certainly Jean Clarke pulled this together with a very strong and striking performance. All six women in the cast were well delivered with excellent voice projection and personalities for the characters: the period feel was good and the Wise Woman of Wickwell (Bea Gatfield) with her servant (Jac Gatfield) came over well with the soothsaying for the customer Yasmine Macklin-Page in the quest for the lost buckle/brooch (and the background as to why and where). With friends Bella and Midge (Cheryl Collings and Gillian Davidson) on a tour round the old house and only one with ghostly feelings of what might have happened (and able to see), this became quite a haunting story, especially as only one character from 17th century could see too for a reciprocal relationship, and this venture of occult worked well. And not to forget the frustrated tour guide (Val Newell) trying to gather up the latecomers, this play atmosphere well dramatized in a strong performance.

Alan Bennett is always special and thought provoking as well as amusing, and Ann Cashmore captured the right feel with the two-hander ‘A Visit from Miss Prothero’ as the rapport and general feel and empathy was perfect between the lady Pat Bryant and Arthur Dodsworth from Ian Cashmore. Retired and with a visit from work to update, there were the remembrances of his career and all he did for the firm remembered with pride from both giving a feel of worthiness and a warmth. And then into new takeovers and staff changes and updates along with technology changes and computers, and gradually the realisation that his life work has been consigned to the scrapheap with a touching sadness revealed. These two characters were so well realised and such rewarding roles in this perfect mood changing duologue: excellent and perfect casting.

And to finish on a comedy note, back to Lazy Bees and amateur drama with ‘Acting, it’s not Plumbing’ and a workshop from a village hall group to persuade and encourage the various characters to indulge in certain situations with their interactions. Add to the previous casts a plumber from Neil Ellson and a very promising new youngster Georgia Pearce to give a view to non-thespians what does happen at some workshops/rehearsals. Great fun and lots of laughs and improvisations from the differing personalities, also a glimpse of how the people from the village may develop in the future as the links cement. Really a piece of nonsense much enjoyed by all those participating and good for Mundesley Players.

An evening much enjoyed by audience and actors judging by the chat afterwards

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.