Improbable Fiction

What a mind Alan Ayckbourn must have creating a play using the simplicity of what seems an evening meeting of a writers’ circle to become a complex suspected murder mystery set in different eras in the convivial surroundings of the Chairman’s home intertwined with each  Member's month’s work in progress update. Quite bizarre really – hilariously funny crossing eras and leaving the poor host in complete puzzlement. Beautifully transferred from the written words by the splendid team of actors into fast paced action headed by Keith Miller director unravelling the plot. Brilliant work and certainly a challenge for the backstage team as well.

The set design and build was of the usual high standard from Trevor Lewing and his co-workers. A single lounge set with half landing and stairs led up to Mother’s room, a very well finished front door was complete with letter box, door to kitchen, an angled flat leading to the dining room. The room well dressed, wallpapered complete with a strategic piano and well-timed placing of various models of telephone. The plot commenced with Arnold counting and recounting a number of chairs – was it eight or was it 9!

Clever changing of era both in props and from present day to Victorian costume and matching hair styles and accessories plus of course alien trappings and a goblin.  Oh believe me I’m not making this up. Transition of characters was expertly carried out with quick costume changes but accents too. Always steady Steve Hill as Arnold Hassock, convivial host and chair of the writers group, a good natured man who becomes more confused as the action proceeds - the only character to remain the same – very well interpreted and what a huge amount of script and with little rest offstage, trying to encourage his members, who all have personal struggles to share their work in progress. Peter Hogg played Brevis Winterton, an argumentative retired teacher who writes musicals and performs a piano piece – certainly not a budding Lloyd Webber! He appears as a Victorian gent and then an eccentric American alien hunter together with his three assistants and brilliant electrical gadgetry. Very good accent well mastered as well as intricate words. Young Clem Pepp certainly impressed – initially having little input then shines as he shares his sci-fi enthusiastic storyline. He appeared as an upper crust jodhpur clad gold digger and then a raincoated, fast deducing DI, well delivered, Grace Simms  a mousy, ex pupil of Winterton, shy individual nervous to share her childrens’ book illustrations, then became a devious historic murderess plus efficient alien hunter assistant, with all parts being expressed so very well. Excellent changes of costumes and persona here too. Lola Catt portrays a strange quiet girl who helps care for Arnold’s bedridden mother, worked well with props and what a screamer. She then portrayed the accused maid in period costume well too. Sarah Bragoli showed us a somewhat course, no nonsense farmer Jess Bales, abrasive and sarcastic who tries unsuccessfully to write historical romances, transferring magnificently into a typical governess/housekeeper character with some nice comedy moments. The final member of the group was taken on by Jackie Eichler – Vivvi Dickins a journalist – demonstrative and confident and is a prolific crime fiction writer. She becomes the downtrodden DI’s Sergeant also taking on a third realistically pink haired alien hunter’s assistant. Costumes provided brought the cast to life. Particularly good props collated by Jenny Turner with all credit to the providers of electrical gadgets and the surprise mystery box -   Andy Godfrey was responsible for the  Doblin the Goblin who appeared as a real live Goblin – the  magic of theatre!

The techies Lucy Hogg and Ron Evans did a grand job with Lighting and Sound with Special effects created by Keith Miller and Geoff Parfitt. A minor blip with the curtain timing didn’t deter and the era prop changes were neatly executed. it was just wonderful to hear the laughter and see smiling faces of the Saturday matinee appreciative audience. Attention to detail throughout was apparent and each of the actors portrayed their multi parts to a high standard.

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