Gym and Tonic

Gym & Tonic… a play performed by Southport Dramatic Club, on Thursday, 27th October 2022 at Southport Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport.

Before attending most productions, especially if it is the first time I’ve seen them, I usually do some homework and introduce myself to what lies ahead, as was the case with Gym and Tonic.  I discovered that this was a comedy play penned by the very talented John Godber. The play was originally written 25 years ago and published in 2000, but according to Godber himself, he has completely re-written the play since then, bringing the piece into the modern world and taking a sharp look at mental health and well-being.

 The play centres itself around a married couple ‘Don and Shirley Weston’ and their visit to the Scarsdale Hall Health Spa which modestly describes itself as the best in Europe. The staff at the spa are happy to pamper you, massage you and put you through your paces, all for the cost of a kidney, or maybe just an arm or a leg (as Don often laments). The spa has recently been redecorated to the tune of £7million, a further point of discomfort for Don. Shirley immediately throws herself enthusiastically into everything the spa has to offer whilst Don is not quite so keen and this sets the scene for the rest of the play. Shirley is determined to take advantage of all the facilities and have a great time whereas Don is constantly thinking how much the stay is costing and struggles to relax, despite the luxurious surroundings! 

Production Team… Celia Timmington (Director) and Ange McIntyre (Assistant Director) did a great job with this play!  The cast of nine, looked well-rehearsed and as soon as those curtains opened were ready, willing, and able to give their all…which they had to be, as the first scene was a ‘workout’… I was exhausted just watching!  Well done Celia, Ange… great casting and effective direction… be proud!

The Cast… as with most of my reviews this is where I ‘stick the old neck out’ and start selecting favourites … MY favourites!  Never one to sit on the fence, but as always… these are MY favourites, ask anyone else in the theatre that evening and they would probably select others, but this is me!   My ‘show stealer was, without doubt, Graeme Hunt and his portrayal of ‘DON WESTON’ the ‘birthday boy’ who’s going through a mid-life crisis!  From his first entrance in the gym, Graeme’s character was to the fore!  Stage presence aplenty, mannerisms, facial expressions, amazing timing for his comedy inclusions and his plethora of ‘one liners’ which were amazing!  His first ‘massage’ with Chloe, when he strips down to his underpants, was hilarious… be ever so proud Graeme, a performance to be proud of!  Fi Billington took on the role of ‘Shirley Weston’ the wife of Don who’d been on a diet for two years and had only lost 4Ibs.  As Don mopes and moans… Shirley throws herself into every activity the spa has on offer, making friends and loving the experience!  Fi looked totally comfortable in this role, again great stage presence, worked well with Don and the rest of the cast producing a well-judged character driven performance … be proud Fi, great job!   Another great performance came from Phil Povey who took on the role of ‘Ken Blake’, ‘construction company’ owner and self-made man (probably a millionaire). Confident, sporty the complete opposite of Don. Phil made this part his own, oozed confidence, a characteristic essential for this part!  Worked well with the rest of the cast… be ever so proud Phil, great job!   Gail Whitfield played ‘Gertrude Tate’, the ever so slightly dotty multi-millionairess… ‘old school money’!  Gail did an impressive job with this character and was up there as a contender for ‘show stealer’.  Wonderful characterisation, believable, really well cast…loved Gail’s quote on life … ‘it’s like a turd sandwich’…  be proud Gail… thoroughly entertaining performance!  P.J Green took on the role of ‘Shaun’ a guest at the spa, an odd sort of character really which Paul made his own and looked totally comfortable throughout… well done sir!  ‘Zoe’, a fitness instructor, and employee at the Spa was played well by Andrea Cheesman. Andrea looked a perfect fit for this role, loved the aerobic routines, believable, well done!  Adrienne Ledson took on the role of the ‘dead pan ‘… ‘Chloe’, a masseuse at the Spa.  Her ‘massage scenes’ with Don were ‘highlights’ for me… hilariously funny! Just loved the second massage scene with Don, again stripped down to his underpants, and ‘deadpan’ Chloe’s declaring “It’s only the face today Mr Weston” … brilliant!  Well done, Adrienne, be ever so proud!  Sue Horsley played ‘Maggie Weston’ mum to Don and Sam Ashton played ‘Sam Weston’, son of Don and Shirley and the Bellboy at the spa. 

Staging/Tech … the set was a single simple set on two levels which was used throughout the play.  The entrances and exits where used really well as was the ‘split level’… congrats to Radley Haynes (Set Design), Bob Jessamine (Scenic Artist) and the SDC Construction Team for another great set.  In charge on stage was Pete Beswick (Stage Manager) assisted by Thomas Ashcroft (Deputy Stage Manager), well done everyone!

Sound and Lighting… Phyllis Spencer (Sound) and ‘Team LX’ (Lighting) should also be congratulated for their efforts.  Great sound, effective lighting throughout… great job!  Costumes – SDC Wardrobe Team were overseeing the costumes.  Apt and appropriate sportswear, loved the flamboyance of Gertrude, enhanced her character so much!  Be proud one and all!  Props… of which there were many, were well sourced, used really well and which enhanced the play… congrats to Paul-James Green, Sam Ashton and Fi Billington.

This really was a comedy.  An evening full of laughs both in the well written script and from the performances… and was deserving of the applause given at the end.  Well done one and all… thoroughly enjoyed!

Thank you once again for inviting my wife and I and thanks to Diane Mackley for looking after us throughout, really appreciated.   Looking forward already to ‘Deathtrap’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty’…thanks again for a great evening!

Stay safe and keep well…
‘STRONGER TOGETHER’

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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