In At The Deep End

Tyldesley Little Theatre end their season with the comedy In At The Deep End written by Derek Benfield. This season has seen them give some of the well-known faces on stage a chance to direct and this time sees Cameron Rowe who will be a familiar figure from many plays and his jump splits as the Dame in Panto, legendary!

The stage splits into two showing the health farm and one of its bedrooms. Back stage right raised is the bedroom as is customary with any farce or comedy there is a fascination with multiple doors, entrances and exits. This does not disappoint. On the raised area accommodating a double bed, door from the corridor stage left and on the back door to the bathroom and functioning sash window. The health spa has an archway stage left leading to the bedrooms, up stage right leading to the entrance of the Health Farm and other treatment rooms including the doctor’s room. Down stage right are swing doors to the sauna. Chairs and plant on pedestal adorned the set with white wood lattice sun lounger down stage right.  Set construction by Eddie Stanley, Andy Haymes, Paul Hilton and Peter Hood. Opening music is Grieg’s Morning Mood, setting us up for a tranquil time which never actually happens.

Lighting played a crucial role in this production as action swung back and forth from bedroom to health farm and very well done too - Lighting Design Pete Gower, Sound Compilation and editing Paul Whur. Operation Jenny Whur, Jenny Ackerley and Paul Whur.

Cameron Rowe stamps his mark on this play and there were some great moments between the actors ensuring the comedy is played out fully. With action and facial movements over the top, not to mention the physicality some actors at the end were perspiring heavily and had given their all.

Gerald Corby played by Ian Hunter has come away for a rest - he wants to see no one. If only he knew what was about to unfold, he would have stayed at home. Ian looked suitably distressed at the appearance of one-by-one people he knows, some intent on making mischief, some not pleased to see him and his wife. His wife Marion Corby played by Roma Etherington thinks it would be a nice surprise for her hubby - little did she know. Her first shock is being hugged by the manager of the health farm - things only get worse from then on. It was funny how everyone wanted her gone and she still hung around. Ian and Roma - I did feel some moments were missed due to uncertainty of lines but there were also some funny comedy scenes usually involving the bed and a toothbrush.

Mr Potter the manager of the health farm played by Connor Parkinson we watched as in a day his world dissolved into chaos. Usually having the control over events, alcohol, food and affairs are happening under his nose. I almost want to imagine when he runs to his office he is going for a quick sherry (sorry just my thoughts)! His bursting into song - is he a frustrated musical theatre buff? With energy and physicality Connor more than brought Mr Potter to life to our amusement.

Lauren Allister takes on the sex mad Sandra. Men be afraid of Sandra, she knows what she wants and is not afraid to throw you under the bus to get it. Hilarious. Confident and well thought out character with a Beyonce booty shake too.

Jake Little takes on Rodney. A younger member of the cast with a mature ethic to taking on character. Playing each little detail out to the very end. The going through the window and up and down the ladder you believed he was climbing that ladder. I was exhausted watching him in a good way. Almost the stooge character and no idea what is going on but pushed from pillar to post with a look that says what’s going on. Good comedy skills.

Jake’s partner in crime was Cathryn Hughes as Linda Corby - again all Linda wants is some alone time with her window cleaning boyfriend. Cathryn certainly brought out the comedy in her character - spot on with the twists and turns she had to endure. The panic, the deception and thinking on your feet all played out before us making it look easy while giving us a chance to enjoy Linda. Cathryn’s first entrance was noted and it was almost like she passed the baton on to the rest of the cast with a burst of energy – excellent!

The cast of six worked well together and the laughs came fast, you probably heard me. The audience certainly enjoyed it. It’s great to see Tyldesley Little Theatre giving new directors a chance and an injection of new actors keeping amateur theatre alive. Well done to cast and crew. Thank you for the invite and hospitality from Matthew and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson, D5 Rep

 

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