Gail Force 9

Today I had the pleasure of a World Premiere  -  a comedy play penned by well-known children’s author Kate O’Hearn, who was inspired by an event that took place in 1991 in the English Channel, outside Dover Harbour. During a severe storm, a channel ferry crashed into its mooring completely blocking the harbour entrance preventing several Cross Channel ferries from docking. For 8 hours they rode the waves, and this incident led to us being introduced to some remarkably interesting characters, but is everything really as it seems?

Spiced with two seemingly ordinary crew members, sexy Cynthia the ‘welcome aboard’ staff member and also enthusiastic cleaner of tables and floor mopping, visually seducing her very stern looking colleague, a very seasick cow distributing samples of a non-dairy spread, two MI6 agents, a hand cuffed German prisoner being escorted to London for interrogation, two innocent couples returning from a stay in Paris and you have an action-packed scenario of secrets, lies and deception. Add much action business, seduction, hilarious script and incredible tall stories, bodies in cupboards and a rolling backdrop - the audience enjoyed the frivolity immensely. The cast were first class in both movement, script, and facial expression and at times very physical - timing being crucial.

Trevor Lewing’s ferry lounge design was clever, the central back panel with a window. Painted in blue and white livery colours. He and his team created this moving section together with special lighting effects and rain pouring down when passengers appeared on deck. Benches were placed either side of the window with a table beneath. Forward there were pedestal tables and smart blue chairs. Side front was a set bucket and mop and a wall clock. On the walls were pictures of sister ferries, a muster station sign, a life jacket and two buoys. Attention to plenty of props, trays of drinks and food, some of which was consumed, medical supplies, cleaning clothes, camera, and a box of pilfered ‘Maltesers’ to name a few, with Jenny Turner responsible. Costumes, perfect for each character, were provided by Margie Pocock once again.

Kate’s brother Rob made his silent debut as a backpacker sitting quietly on a bench complete with earphones, hat perched on his head, backpack on the floor, which was later riffled, settled to sleep his way through the production. Experienced performers Terence Hattemore and Kelly Kellie were a great comedy act, Cynthia in her short uniform skirt and white shirt was wonderful trying to lure her man so beautifully, initially with no words. So effective and superbly timed. These two characters are of course imposters, but I will not spoil the story! Regular Steve Hill appeared besuited and in charge of prisoner Wilhelm with Peter Hogg handcuffed and keeping up a particularly good German accent. Young Agent Baz placed between the two, addicted to his mobile phone was Scott Hollands who too had wonderful facial and eye expressions. Sarah Bragoli, as Gail (a nice play on spelling in the title) unrecognisable with a dark brown very good wig, and Tom Miller as Richard the very keen photographer, game to venture on deck and get a soaking, worked really well together and I loved her bag of tricks – full of pills and potions and a fan she used to dry Richard’s soaked shirt a great touch! David MacDonald was the hypochondriac Silas – a comical performance together with Charlottes Eastes as Lizzie dressed in her tight designer labelled red spotted frock and leather jacket who got covered in cream cheese and biscuits. Some great strong ‘catty’ female exchanges The tall storyteller ‘it reminds me of when Monty and I ….’.etc., the  loner and a tealeaf was played beautifully by a very whiskered Keith Miller. And our last super funny character was Sharon Gordon as the very seasick Cow with her cheese and biscuit plater and French accent. Who would have guessed she was a notorious assassin and what a death scene!

Kate’s first time directorship together with Giselle Youseman created a fun, fast and furious comedy farce, with the addition of lighting designed by John Buckle and assisted by Carol Sharpe operating, excellent well cued sound effects, choice of music from Ron Simpson, voices off from Severine Chevrier and Amy Godfrey, Sharon Allsop Kenney and her exotic fruits as the Winner of the Upper Warren Village Photography Competition, unsuspecting Prompt on stage as a Passenger Kerry Gentlemen and SM Bill Pocock, F of H helpers, and Videographer Mel Youseman thank you for this new and funny well performed play.

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