How to be Happy

This was my first visit to The Fellowship Players, and I certainly hope it isn’t my last. The Grange Playhouse in Walsall is a little gem, obviously well-loved and cared for by a dedicated team. 

 

How to be Happy is a play that I was not familiar with, but the storyline soon became obvious. Paul is a former ‘Happiness Guru’ who is now a divorced, financially hard-up middle-aged man who blames consumerism for much of the world’s ills. Emma is his ex-wife and is fed-up with dealing with her ex-husband and her new husband who feels “lost”, whilst coping with a new baby as well as a teenage daughter. 

The role of Paul, played by Sam Evans, was a mammoth task, very rarely ever off stage and Sam rose to the occasion. He seemed so comfortable on stage that there were times I actually forgot that he was acting the part – having said that, the same could be said about all of the cast, each of them seeming completely at ease in the parts they were playing. Rebecca Holmes-Mears was equally convincing as the ex-wife Emma, coping with another husband and a relatively new-born baby, both demanding in their own way. She rarely ‘had time’ for herself and the demands of a teenage daughter. 

Katy, Paul’s new partner, was played by Caitlin Griffin, she was the respectable teacher who had an eye for interior design. She appeared as the calming influence in all situations until Paul finally pushed her button. Christopher Pilkington as Graham, Emma’s husband, was so convincing as the ‘nerdy’ advertising guru! He seemed so wrapped up in his business world that his marriage was bound to suffer, there were some lovely touches in the relationship between Graham and Emma, and I’m sure everyone was amused by the headgear which monitored brain reactions! On the evening I saw the play, the cast was completed by Jade Webster-Lowndes as the teenage daughter, Daisy. The portrayal was so realistic and someone that most parents in the audience could identify with! I’m sure that Rosie Rimmer, who was making her debut with the Players, and played the role at other performances,was equally as convincing as Jade was.

 

The set was interesting, a family lounge which was shared by both families, including one settee. If you were not sure what was happening, then you would wonder why people were ignoring each other on stage. But it worked, and all credit to the cast. The difficulty with a set like this when on stage, is the temptation to glance at the person who is speaking at the time, however, I didn’t notice any of the actors casting a glance when they shouldn’t have been looking! The movement and timing from everyone involved was very impressive, as was the timing of sound effects, so often the telephone continues to ring when it has been answered – but not here. The lighting plot was well designed with subtle changes that almost went unnoticed.

 

I must congratulate Dave Mills on his direction, movement around the set and entrances were spot on. A lot of attention had been given to detail to make this performance such a success. 

 

I must applaud everyone involved with the production, from front of house for their warm welcome, to everyone onstage and those involved behind the scenes, it really was a first-class production. Congratulations!

 

 

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