Frozen Assets

Report on
Woodland Players’
Production of “Frozen Assets” by Tom Casling.

Director - Geoff Iles.
Lighting & Sound – Tom Stone,
Prompt – Karen Sheppard.

As seen by Bob Allen, NODA SW District 14 Representative

on Saturday, 22nd, November, 2025

at Our Lady of Lourdes School Hall, Kingswood, Bristol.

PLEASE NOTE:

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in
question. The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is

inevitable that his assessment will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in
particular the performance viewed. It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only
be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed. Any criticisms
expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher
standards in Amateur Theatre.
It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and
encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer
will prove helpful in improving future productions.

This complex comedy by Tom Casling was typical of the type Woodland Players
chose to perform to their loyal audiences. It was funny and afforded no opportunity
for the audience to miss a beat for fear of missing some more complicated pieces of
the plot.
As usual, within the school hall, they had to construct a whole stage acting area
before they could perform. I do not know of any group that has this amount of hassle
before the show goes on. There was a good acting space showing a lounge where
all of the action took place. Peter, an out of work accountant, is married to Claire,
who is about to have a baby. They are in Peter’s Mother’s house so the scenery is
very much of that of an older woman. He is waiting for his Mother’s 75 th birthday
when he should inherit a payment of £50,000. And all will be right in his world at long
last! But hey this is farce! Peter discovers that his Mother has died three days before
her birthday and there will be no payout. How could they keep her body fresh for
three days? Poor man just starts to dig a very big hole for himself……
The cast of nine actors proceeded to work through all the trials and tribulations of the
plot with a gusto. Words were well remembered and there were few errors. It would
be unfair of me to uplight any one performer as this was such a team effort. I felt that
the casting was very good and there was a good team spirit. Everyone was
supportive and the pace was very good especially in Act One. Act Two was much
more complex with the number of actors on stage. But even then the pace flagged
little. The staging of the numerous bodies on view was good. The whole show was
directed with the usual care by Geoff and we all sighed with relief when all ended
well!

Here is a strong group providing local entertainment that suited their audience. No
attempt at educating people, or influencing them – just making them laugh. What
better goal could you want? I wish Woodland Players good luck for next year. They
have ended on a high. Long may they continue to do what they do well. I look
forward to their next show.

Kind regards

Bob Allen. NODA SW district 14 Representative

N.B. The comments above are solely the view of the representative attending and

only reflects the performance seen.

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