Four Weddings and an Elvis

FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS by Nancy Frick tells the story of four times married Sandy, and is set in her Las Vegas wedding chapel.   Over the course of the evening we meet four couples and their paths cross in unexpected ways.  There’s comedy, pathos, music, witty remarks and lots of surprises.

The set was beautifully constructed and decorated, the main colour theme being pink with gorgeous central stained glass effect window. There were doors off left and right. The props were well sourced and complemented the set.  There was an abundance of flowers. 

The costumes were outstanding and of the highest quality.  Sandy’s outfits for the four scenes were tailor made (by her!) detailed and ranged from cowgirl to her own wedding outfit.    Ex-con Fiona’s hard woman costume was brilliant and Fist certainly looked the part. The aging stars, Vanessa and Bryce looked perfect as the glamorous Hollywood film stars, complete with Vanessa’s fur coat and Bryce’s toupee! John’s ‘Elvis’ outfit was excellent with upturned large colour, cape, flared trousers and chain around his neck.   

James Belcher’s skilful direction brought out fully rounded characters as the story was told. Margaret Wales, as Sandy, gave an assured performance and was just right as the chapel owner with a past.  Geoff Smith as John ‘Elvis’ had some great comic moments. Lucy Halten as Bev brought out her character’s doubts about the marriage with her gestures and Shaun Bates as Stan Simon, had just the right amount of empathy and understanding to keep the peace. Linda Johnson as Vanessa and John Ford as Bryce were wonderfully over the top as the Hollywood couple struggling to comeback into the limelight. Helen Robson as Fiona and Alan Birdsworth as her former lover, had the highest energy of the evening and Jason Keweley as Marvin, was a bundle of gestures portraying a nervous but very much in love fiancee of Fiona. Gary Hay as Lou was nicely understated as the congenial replacement Elvis come Minister.  Completing the cast, Yvonne Fairhead, Anna Kendrick and Pam Howard had minor roles which they played with conviction. This was a very enjoyable production with polished performances from all and the entire production was professional, well thought out and the creative team are to be congratulated on their hard work,  ingenuity and inventiveness in bringing this hugely enjoyable play to the Hartley Wintney stage.

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