Hi-De-Hi

Community theatre is certainly alive and well in Wethersfield judging by the enthusiastic audience who had gathered on this chilly early spring evening to see the society’s annual production.

The play is a favourite of amateur groups but this was definitely Hi De Hi with a difference. The audience doubled as campers with Camp Host Ted Bovis, a very good performance by Keith Shilling, and the Yellowcoats entertaining us with songs of the era. In some ways it almost seemed like a concert version, which was no bad thing and certainly went down well with the audience who were robustly joining in with all the songs.  There’s nothing like knowing the words to songs from the 50’s and 60’s to give away your age! 

The split set had been well designed and constructed and was dressed with suitable props. There was a tendency for one or two cast members to inadvertently stray into the wrong half of the set, but on the whole it worked well.  The Radio Maplin desk is a crucial stage prop and I was expecting it to be moved away from the wall, perhaps on the diagonal, to enable Gladys to stand behind it to make her announcements.  Instead she stood in front.  The desk doubled as a bar which was fine but unfortunately it was not returned to its original position when required and we had Gladys making her announcements from the bar!  Sian Watson was a very believable Gladys, making the most of every little nuance in the script. Well done to her.

A good characterisation by David Holliday of Jeffrey Fairbrother, always appearing slightly agitated and completely out of his comfort zone as the holiday camp Entertainments Manager.  I would like to have seen him standing in his office doorway (albeit imaginary) when reading Joe Maplin’s letters to the Yellowcoats, thereby addressing them, rather than the audience. As it was, positioning the character downstage left resulted in several members of the cast being blocked out. These days of course with the use of radio mics there is no need for actors to have to face the audience to make themselves heard.  This though is a directorial matter and should not detract from the actor’s performance, which was very good throughout..

There were other good performances from Joost Baker as Spike, Richard Burdge as Fred Quilley and John Pearce as Children’s Entertainer William Partridge.  Chalet Maid Peggy, always eager to please and with dreams of becoming a Yellow Coat was very well played by Marilyn Edwards. 

An excellent characterful performance by Gill Wilson as Yvonne Stuart-Hargreaves.  She was every bit the snooty Dance Instructress of the script, looking down her nose at just about everyone, with the possible exception of Mr Fairbrother.  Her mannerisms throughout were spot on.  Tim Watson as her long suffering husband and dance partner Barry made a good foil for his extrovert wife.

An additional mention here for Keith Shilling who stayed in character and entertained the audience while we waited for the fish and chips which had failed to arrive on time. These things happen of course and when they do who better to come to the rescue than Ted Bovis. 

There were some lighting and sound issues and some slow scene changes which was a shame, but on the plus side it was obvious that a lot of hard work had gone into this production.

This was an evening full of laughter and song, with excellent musical accompaniment from “The Last Drops” and a delicious fish and chip supper.

Thank you so much for inviting me.

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