Last Panto and Murder in Little Grimley

‘A Comedy Double-Bill of One Act Plays by David Tristram:

Waddington Dramatic Society’s latest production, a double-bill of Little Grimley plays by David Tristram: ‘Last Panto in Little Grimley’ and ‘Murder in Little Grimley’ was very entertaining. Last year I enjoyed Last Tango and Lockdown in Little Grimley and I can see the society has enhanced already very good skills. David Tristram’s series of Little Grimley plays follow the ups and, more often, downs of a small and highly unsuccessful drama group.  Both plays are built on familiar foursome, continuing to try to entertain the village of Little Grimley.

The performance opened with two caretakers, played by Andy Brown and Lachlan Madin (who is also Assistant Director), getting side-tracked whilst cleaning the village hall and lip-syncing with their dancing brooms to songs from The Blues Brothers film and Rocky Horror, followed by a spot of amusing ballet from Swan Lake. An hilarious start to the evening which the audience laughed along to. Julie Addison’s direction brought a subtle comic value to the already funny script, using the space well and included some value added extra’s such as opening musical element and between scene moments, much appreciated by the audience.

 

The four members of the Little Grimley Drama Society are: Gordon, an egotistical megalomaniac, played wonderfully by Neil Markland especially his artistic delusions that this company could ever be productive. Margaret, Gordon’s nemesis, played by Maria Wagstaff, who loves the theatre and wants to focus on acting despite all the problems. Joan King’s Joyce is a somewhat timid, picked-upon, librarian with a dyslexic eye, who brings the keenness and enthusiasm of someone who wants to help, but is, sadly, devoid of talent. Joyce desperately wants to star in a musical, as evidenced by her hilariously excruciating performance of the song Tomorrow from Annie at the opening of the play. Bernard, played by Gary Wright, the blunt, somewhat slow, banana-eating set builder who really doesn’t want to appear on stage but somehow, often does. The Panto included some of the obvious panto clichés, and audience participation. Joyce’s singing was brilliant for all the wrong reasons, other highlights included Gordon’s uproarious breakdown and an amusing gruesome practical joke. The addition of two extra cast members, detectives played by Robert Graham and Andy Brown rounded off the cast well.

The pace was excellent, everyone on stage and off worked together to with no obvious slip-ups. The diction was excellent and enhanced with the use of mics, everyone in the hall could hear everything going on. This allowed the actors to concentrate on building the characters relationships, comic timing and delicious asides, which all created an exceptional evening’s entertainment, which I really enjoyed.

The lighting was simple, but effective, and especially added to the mood (and humour) in the scary moments of the ‘Murder’ play and the choice of incidental music was very apt and helped set the mood well. (David Ridout and Kevin Gillingham).

I commend Waddington Dramatic Society for putting forward this production and look forward to the next which I believe is Flint Street Nativity. Ts great to see a society that almost folded, going from strength to strength.

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