Island of Dreams

It is always a delight to travel to the tip of NODA North to see Such Stuff productions.

This year was no exception as the audience settled down to watch “Island of Dreams.” The director of this play Lydia Lee “has an idea” which she translates into a script for her team of performers on stage and this idea certainly gave an evening of entertainment that was captivating to witness. Lydia, this was an entertaining script and I am sure seeing it performed by your team of actors and actresses was very rewarding. Well done, keep those ideas flowing.

Island of Dreams is loosely based on "The Visit" by Friedrich Durrenmatt, a tragicomic play that explores themes of justice, revenge and the corrupting power of money through the story of Claire Zachanassian, a wealthy woman who returns to her impoverished hometown to seek vengence on her former lover, Alfred  III.

In this local production the play is set in a town that has seen better days and has many references and reminiscences to Tweedmouth in the 1960's. The memories are familiar to the audience regardless of where they live as we all remember Tweedmouth carnival, candy floss, toffee apples, beach ponies, Berwick cockles and the annual Scottish Week holidays prior to the birth of package holidays abroad. Also included in the memories were the Berwick seagulls and their untimely depositing of their waste products. 

The memories are shared by two onlookers played by Jim Herbert and Kenneth Combe who act out the despair they feel at the impoverished hometown. Sitting on that town bench you captured your role very well and I enjoyed your vocals too. The famous Phil Collins song, In the Air Tonight, captured the mood completely.

The first act offered a good mix of narrative and music. The music of the 1960’s and 1970’s was vibrant and the audience were invited to join in with any of the songs. This was a low-pressure invitation that most of the audience accepted. I certainly did.  It was wonderful to hear such confident harmonious music from such a small cast and the vocals outside the town hall and the townsfolk meeting scenes reflected the hard work that had gone into achieving this, it was appreciated.

In the first act we are introduced to Claire Kasabian, played by Nicola Summers who I would describe as a woman who has ulterior motives. Yes, she will invest her wealth into the impoverished town but only if the townsfolk enact revenge on her former lover and rid her of The Mayor played by Andrew Scott. Nicola, you captured the contrast between composure and a ruthless calculating interior. You displayed to the audience the dangerous power you held. Well done on achieving a polished performance.

Andrew you too captured your personal vulnerability, your loss of autonomy and co-dependency on the good nature of the townsfolk who explore numerous methods of killing you with rat poison, electrocution, strangulation, firing squad etc. Well done to you both for a performance with strong narrative and strong vocals that portrayed complex emotional feeling.

Husband number 7 and spokesperson for this drama is performed by Robert Hanlon who is known for his stage ability in being able to "woo the women" not only with gesture but also his incredible singing. Robert you consistently give your audience a performance to remember and this was no exception. Congratulations.

Claire Kasabian has a Personal Assistant, Jonathan Scott and a Body Guard, Sean Mwachilenga. This duo gave stellar duets and you both acted out to Claire the 1967 Esther and Abi Ofarim song Cinderella Rockefella. However, the best was yet to come and your duet of Holding Out for a Hero (Footloose) displayed vocal chemistry and balance between the two of you. Your contrasting roles created a juxtaposition that elevated the performance. Well done to both of you.

I also enjoyed the scene in the Emporium where Vera (the wife of the mayor) played by Nicola Jones patiently allows her townsfolk shoppers purchases on seemingly endless credit. Nicola, you gave a polished rendition of the song Lying Eyes famously sang by Eagles.

Such Stuff are so privileged to have live music played by Laid Back, Ray Weatherburn, Sue Weatherburn and Lee Turnbull. Live musicians add an incredible dynamic of raw emotion and energy that, in my opinion, recordings simply cannot match. Thank you to this trio for their support to cast and audience alike. We really enjoyed swinging and singing along.

The running time was perfect and the pace of the performance kept the audience’s attention. The touches of the stage attire and props added to the visual appeal. I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I am already looking forward to seeing Eleanor Rigby!

Congratulations to everyone involved — cast, crew, and creatives — for delivering such an enjoyable play, with live music!

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