Kindly Leave The Stage

Circle Players play Kindly Leave the Stage by John Chapman, opened with a normally staged dinner party between two couples who had clearly known each other for some time. So far so good.  About halfway through the first act the actors started missing their lines and needing prompts. It was at this point that the audience couldn’t quite work out what was happening.  The explanation was that the show was a very cleverly written play within a play.

The actors all gave excellent portrayals of their characters both in their slightly dull stage roles and as the much more animated actors of the repertory company.  Clair Tregellis changed from the dutiful wife into a woman in love. Matt Round played her husband Charles who spent a lot of the second half in a trunk. Jean Kerby was excellent as both the slightly overbearing mother and the solid supporter of real acting talent. Credit to Jean and Clair who had long periods of just sitting there watching the action take place.  This was also the case for Jenny Culligan as Sarah, all of them kept in character.  Rob Hyland play’s Sarah’ husband Rupert, who’s over acting was a joy to see.  Liz Bennett played the over worked prompt, Angela, who was forever trying the get the curtains closed and getting in touch with the crew.  Taylor Johns had a nice cameo roles as the Nurse, always trying to help.  

George Georgiou as Edward is fantastic as the once leading man who staggers on drunk and is the only one who believes the cast is still doing the original play. He breaks into Shakespeare at any opportunity and laments his former glories.

The technical aspects of the play – the costumes, the lighting, props and stage management – also gave good support to the overall performance. The attention to detail in the set & props so well done. . The play was directed by Rob Hyland, who fully understood the intricacies of a ‘play within a play’ structure.

Congratulations to all involved and thank you so much for the invite.

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