Humble Boy

Whenever I go to see a play, unless it is a brand new production, I usually try to read the play beforehand or at least do some research. I have to admit to walking into this production not knowing anything about the play. I was very grateful therefore for the eloquently written introduction in the programme by Director Nettie Sheridan which gave an overview of what I was to expect.

The first thing the audience sees when entering the theatre is the most wonderful garden scene, with conservatory doors from the house leading down stone steps onto the lawn on one side, a garden shed on the other, and a beehive situated upstage.  The garden is adorned with flowers, especially roses, and greenery.  The sort of back garden any gardener would be proud to own.

Many congratulations must go Martin Oakley for the set design and lighting effects, to Torrin Gieler for the excellent sound design and to Jeff Woodford for the sound operation.   Huge plaudits as well to the set dressing and props team, it must’ve been a huge task and it was carried out seamlessly.  Congratulations to all the backstage team for a job well done.

The opening with the beekeepers coming to take away the bees was excellently done especially with the clever film of bees surrounding them and accompanying sound effects.  

Dan Jones  impressed with his excellent character  portrayal of the  stuttering, awkward Felix Humble.   Diane Robinson as Flora Humble, the Queen Bee of the house, equally excelled as Felix’s overbearing mother, who, we discover, had been having an affair with the foul mouthed, music loving George Pye expertly played by Nick Roughton.  His character really made me wonder what on earth Flora ever saw in him. Mercy Lott, on the other hand, had a huge crush on George. Debbie Creissen played her with right amount of care attention required to give support to Felix when required and to try not to feel undermined whilst being spoken to by Flora, who had a tendency to  treat her friend as a lesser mortal.  The wonderful scene at the garden lunch, with Mercy’s “extra ingredient” in the food was very much from the Ayckbourn mold, but certainly created an amusing scene.   Lou Yeo didn’t disappoint  as Rosie, George’s daughter and Felix’s erstwhile girlfriend . The sex in the garden scene was expertly done even if they were interrupted!  My favourite character was Jim, the “gardener”.   It didn’t take me too long to realise that Jim was only ever seen by Felix, except in the final scene. What a lovely part to play and Julian Howard McDowell played him superbly. Of course, the similarity between the names, Jim and the dear departed James, was a big hint.   

All six members of cast worked well together and there wasn’t a weak link in the whole show.

One other thing I must mention was the very clever touch, towards the end of the play, with the sweet scented aroma which filled the auditorium as Flora finally regained her sense of smell.  Nice touch.  

Well done, Southwick Players on another brilliant, well directed performance.   Your shows go from strength to strength. Long may you continue.

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