Happy Families

This is a typical Godber play, full of grit, humour and sadness, and was a rollercoaster ride of emotions for the cast. The play is set in a Northern England mining town where all the men work down the pit. It tells the story of a boy, John and his parents Vic and Dot. It tells of stresses and strains of John growing up with his working class family of Mom, Dad, Grandparents Jack and Liz, Aunties Doris and Edna, ad Cousin Rebecca, all adding to the trials and tribulations of  "A Happy Family".

John struggles through life, bullied at school, failing exams, all to the sham of his mother, who constantly shouts at him and gives him a clip around the head - she says she loves him (but sometimes we are not too sure). The play  and narrative jumps back and forth from when John was in junior school until he graduates as a drama teacher, which he achieved through sheet determination, even though he finds himself  alienated from his family. Throughout the play we see family arguments, jealousies and the list goes one - and, of course, endless cups of tea and cake to smooth things over.

Congratulations to Richard Wilshaw on a excellently directed production. The opening scenes of introducing the characters set the quick pace for the rest of the play.All the actors worked very well together and gave solid and strong performances, which was required to make this a very good production.

In the role of John, Anthony Lancashire, had a demanding role, but gave a brilliant performance. Moving with ease from the narrative back to the situation in the family home, his dialogue never faulted.  Changing from a young boy to a man was superb.   Dot - Elaine Demaine. This was also a very demanding role, portraying a very typical  1960's housewife and mother, cleaning, cooking and trying to make ends meet.  Elaine's  constant characterisation  was outstanding.  Vic - David Mitchell who gave an excellent performance as the man who wanted a quite life, and was very happy to leave everything for Dot to sort out.  In the role of Grandad Jack - Roger Hazelwood performed a grumpy old man with much enthusiasm - great  performance.   Grandma Liz - Rosie Burke was first class. Giving her opinion and wisdom that comes with age, even if non-one wants is.  the loving relationship with her grandson was wonderful.  Aunties Doris - Leah Culf and Edna - Yvette Sale played their contrasting characters to perfection. Doris the very much down-to-earth woman and Edna the "snob" whose daughter was going to Cambridge, Edna constantly reminding all the family of how clever Rebecca is.  Taking the role of Rebecca was Poly May  who gave a sterling performances as the snobby and brainy Cousin , whose life is controlled by her mother, but in the end takes control of her own life.    Kate Howard as the giggly "Girl Next Door" made the most of this lovely cameo role.

All the scenes in the play were very good but a very moving scene is at the end of Act One when Gran is dying, and John is seen visibly crying, with Gran and John's  voice-over relating the pass, and Rebecca playing on her clarinet a beautiful version of "Send in the Clowns" - the audience was spellbound.

Congratulations to everyone involved with this production.  The minimalists set, props, lighting and sound were excellent and well thought out to fit in with the 1960's   A production enjoyed thoroughly by myself and the audience.  Thank you for the invite, looking forward to your forthcoming productions..

 

 

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