It's a Wonderful Life

The very title of the production, “It’s a Wonderful Life” presents and hints at itself as a welcoming and happy production. Although I have been involved with musical theatre for sixty years, my knowledge of plays is quite sketchy. Knowing nothing about this particular work and with its positive title therefore, led me to expect an upbeat and cheerful script and a play with a happy ending. I am delighted to say that I was in no way disappointed. The plot did contain a mixture of happy and sad times in the way that life deals with most people.

The life that is portrayed over a period of about twenty-six years is that of George Bailey (Harry Rippon) and his relationships with his brother, Harry (Robbie Tolhurst), his wife, Mary Hatch (Laura Thornett), his Uncle Billy (Stuart Flitton), some neighbours and various local businessmen. These parts were all played so well with aplomb and much conviction.

The action of the play starts at the possible end of George’s life when a Guardian Angel is required to look after him. This apprentice angel in the form of Clarissa Oddbody (Beth Lowe), was pitched just right with a caring and attentive attitude but also played with a good sense of humour for us onlookers.

Amongst the neighbours and business people with distinctive characters were the aforementioned eccentric Uncle Billy, the fly in the ointment business tycoon, Jethro Potter (Richard Tyrrell) and the forthright, go-getter, Sam Wainwright (Mark Ryan). Also in the list of distinctive associates and friends were Mr Gower (Chris Harris), Mr Martini (Dave Griffin) and Violet Bick (Clarice Ryan). These were a typical mix of townsfolk that most of us would recognise in our own community - all very believable characters.

The younger generation were represented by six children, five of whom played some of the adults as children. Again, they did a grand job in upholding the quality of the experienced acting of the regular actors in this society.

The set was cleverly divided on stage in three sections for the various scenes and the stage extensions allowed for the outdoor and distant scenes. Costumes were all appropriate to the period and well done to the props team for obtaining all of the necessary items required in the style of the early twentieth century.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable and opening seasonal offering for the forthcoming Christmas season. Congratulations.

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