Jumpy

Jumpy is one of those plays that has a very definite ring of truth – which is a trademark of the work of April De Angelis.  It was thought-provoking, funny and well-performed by the cast.

As a whole the cast projected well, so we heard all the lib, and the nuances therein.

I thought Imogen Roberts did a sterling job as Hilary – she was on stage for most of the play, and gave us a well-rounded character dealing with the vagaries of a hormonal teenager and an unconcerned husband. 

Lauren Mead as Tilly the teenage daughter, was exactly right for the part – she gave it all the attitude and edge required, whilst showing a touch of concern to give us hope that she’d be OK in the end.

Iain King played Mark the erstwhile husband – somehow on a plain slightly above everyone else – only occasionally coming down to breathe the air of normality – I liked what he did with the part, and the easy relationship between Mark and Hilary.

Corinne Bell as Tilly’s friend Lyndsey was very well-played - Corinne got the essence of a rather naive girl not fully aware of all the restrictions on life a baby would bring to her, but prepared to meet it all head-on – nicely done.

The two younger men of the piece – Tilly’s first boyfriend Josh played by Matt Prowse certainly proved his worth, and created a really good character, with Sean Chalkwright as Cam, Tilly’s subsequent boyfriend who had a relationship with Hilary, and who we saw a lot of one way and another – which he accomplished with no awkwardness or embarrassment, meaning that we, the audience, enjoyed and found funny what he did and said, and didn’t have to agonise over whether it was a subject to shy away from!

Ben Hooker took on the part of Roland, Josh’s father, again a slightly other-worldly feel about him at the start, which soon became a more energetic figure when his son’s morality and possible fatherhood came into question.

Sharon Gaffney played Roland’s wife Bea, and although a small part was telling in some of her lines, which she delivered with increasing confidence.

Bridget Fletcher-Wells had a very interesting part as Hilary’s friend Frances – I thought she got the essence of the woman very well, and liked the relationship between her and Hilary – the ease of old friends.

Sound effects were a little loud, and would have transmitted as more effective if it had been a little quieter.  However they all fitted the bill well, as did the music.

The set was a little sparse, although I could understand that, because there were so many scenes.
Costumes were good, I particularly liked Tilly’s school uniform and both hers and Lyndsey’s going out clothes – I also appreciated the fact that every time Imogen went off stage she effected a quick change of top to accentuate a different day or time.

Overall I liked the play, with its twists and turns, truths and often rather off the wall humour, it appealed to my sense of humour, and struck some very resonant bells!!  Thanks to Bovingdon for their hospitality, good to catch up with members again.

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