Free & Easy

Choreographer: Katie Molyneux

This is a Musical Comedy Play set in the late 1960’s. I feel on this occasion, that for the benefit of readers from societies other than R.M.T.C. I must give you a potted resume of the Story behind this extremely funny production.
Set in the North in the late 1960’s, Eric & Iris Dobbins have been running “The Last Drop” friendly neighbourhood local for many years as a “Free & Easy”, which is now known as “Karaoke”. It had the coveted pub of the year Award for two years running and altogether its a right old family style pub where everybody knows everybody, their peaceful existence is interrupted by “Slimy Ron Stone”, the external premises consultant from the brewery, who seeing possible “marketing potential “ presents a new 5 year business Plan with a revised Tenancy agreemen demanding £25,000 for the new one! Failure to Pay will mean eviction and this will allow the “Consultants“ to turn it into a “Sleazy” entertainment centre.
The Staff and Customers are distraught that they could possibly lose the Pub. Meanwhile Ron Stone has intercepted a letter from North West TV offering a weekly TV slot to the Pub enabling them to beam “Free & Easy” nights into the homes of millions. The Staff and customers come up with a scheming plan to thwart “Dodgy Ron" - do they succeed?
R.M.T.C. presented this with such enthusiasm and successfully produced a really entertaining performance. Paul Davies (Producer/Director) well deserves congratulations for his debut direction. The storyline sounds as dodgy as “Slimy Ron” but he manages to draw on his performing experience, enabling him to have the vision to produce a little gem of a comedy, utilising as much as he could from the cast, set, Venue etc. The whole Play had the tones of an 1960‘s-Phoenix Nights!
Wayne Oakes (Musical Director) made the visual impact of a “Pub Band” within the set and during various scenes, added to the ambience of the era accompanied the cast and sounded fabulous reproducing the swinging 60’s sounds of all the well known tunes such as “Doo Doo Ron Ron“, ”You can’t Hurry Love“, ”Down Town“, ”Cry Me a River“, ”These Boots are made for Walking”, ”Dedicated Follower of Fashion” and the list goes on...
Katie Molyneux (Choreographer) arranged some nifty moves, creating some really effective 60’s style Choreography and it was obvious that she had spent lots of time “Drilling“ the cast.
All of the cast from the principals to the chorus played their part brilliantly; some of the comedy was at it’s best when delivered with “Dead Pan” face and there were such contrasting and complementing characters. Landlord/Lady, Barmaids, Scoutleader, Teddyboy-Cocky-Electrician, Village-Idiot, Dodgy-Ron Stone were all so good with some lovely little cameo chorus characters which all added to the success of the performance.
There is some times a fine line between comedy and panto, but I thought that the whole company should be congratulated for their careful portrayals of each role and not overplaying in order to be funny; some excellent timing and skilful depictions ensured that the storyline and the entertainment value were upheld throughout.
The set was really authentic well thought out and this helped to create right atmosphere. Costumes were very 60’s, well suited to the individuals and gathered together by the company which in itself should be commended.
Well done to all concerned with the production from behind the Footlights to the Front of House.
Thanking you all sincerely for a really entertaining evening and also your kind hospitality.
I look forward to seeing future productions and meeting up with you all again soon.

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