Last Tango in Little Grimley, Lockdown in Little Grimley & Last Tango in Little Grimley

Tyldesley Little Theatre certainly like to take on a challenge - not the normal two One Act plays in an evening, but three! I did think will this work and will I be ready for bed at the end?. . . but this was not the case. The order was perfectly picked as the amateur dramatic nonsense of these plays just got more ridiculous. With box set of the rehearsal room used for all three painted in a neutral colour, with customary black stacking chairs used for various things one does in rehearsals, bath and hospital trolly. Sparse bits of scenery leaning against the walls. The last scene a few props and scenery are brought on: a white bench that has just been painted before opening - you get the gist. Set Construction Eddie Stanley, Andy Haymes and Paul Hilton. Props Sadie Hobson and Margaret Speakes. Costume all looked in keeping – even down to the slap dash costumes for the panto. Wardrobe by Margaret Speakes. I was honoured to present Margaret Speakes District 5 Lifetime Achievement Award for all her services to Amateur Dramatics earlier this year. Sound and Lighting were apt from the flushing of the toilet and various ringing of telephones. The lights failing in The Last Tango and the actors scurrying to find their light, very funny. Lighting and Sound by Paul Whur, helped by Jenny Whur.

Anyone involved with the theatre must surely appreciate the writing that goes into these One Act plays - very observational. The committee meetings where decisions are made as to what will sell the most tickets to the sorting dates of who can do what. The conversations that go off piste time and time again, whilst the chairman/director tries to keep them on track. The tactfulness that one has to try and keep because the person is actually not up to the job but does a job no one else can or wants to do.

Hannah Boardman directs and must have had an easy job with the well-cast actors all playing their part. The scene with Bernard and the tape measure was funny and I did think it could have been milked more and maybe had some suitable silent movie piano music (just an idea)? But it was funny waiting for the metal tape measure to behave. As this is bordering on farce I think to help Gordon to lose it even more supporting actors should have been encouraged to sharpen their cues to assist the moments of high anxiety Gordon was trying to achieve, almost Fawlty-esque.

Alex Clarke takes on the role of Gordon. The stalwart of the group, Chairman and Director not averse to putting his hands in his pocket to help the failing group out. He suddenly finds a liking to writing plays, always putting himself in the lead and in Little Grimley realising sex sells much to the chagrin of the others. Alex was suitably exasperated by his fellow committee members and would give his life to keep this group going, however small – his facial expressions when he has to reveal yes there is sex in the show and his blustering were spot on.

Karen Ward playing Margaret the teacher with sarcasm built in. Always the lead suitable or not. Loves a good argument and you get the feeling not one to stay silent. Absolutely disgusted at Gordon’s suggestions of sex in the play. Yet saves the day with her flashing and quite proud about how full her inbox is after she had to do it to save the play. Her banter and niggles with Bernard were hilarious - almost like two toddlers wanting to have the last word. In the Lockdown In little Grimley it appeared almost churlish of her to wipe the seat. But hands up who has done that?. . . just me then! She won’t let the society down, turning up with broken leg and arm to play Dick Whittington. Great superior tone when speaking to Gordon and she is not sharing her moist toilet wipes.

Connor Parkinson plays Bernard the Stage Manager, Set Builder, Set Painter, Lighting and Sound who also gets roped into acting even though he can’t - he is a one-man band. His one-liners hit out and his winding up of Margaret who suitably reacted was hilarious. His budget of £28.00 on the last show which bombed is just about to get interesting - can you even buy paint for that amount? In Lockdown in Little Grimley it took me a few seconds to realise the measuring of two metres (how quickly we forget) - the tape measure moment was almost like a Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin scene. The pinching of the loo roll and whole situation that ensued was funny too. You got the sense of his home life and why he wants to stay with this group. Great set up of the banana scene too.

Rebecca Southern playing Joyce - what a joy of a part. The character doesn’t have a bad bone in her body only when it comes to acting and singing. Don’t get me started on the singing. ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’? I may very well have PTSD if I ever hear that again - absolutely hilarious! I loved how we sometimes knew what Joyce was going to say before she said it - great facial expressions. The hospital drama where she is the nurse and says tacky cardigan instead of tachycardia was spot on, great timing. Joyce is the treasurer and always has her mind on the figures – but her learning shorthand - that may take some time. She is treated awfully by the others and you wonder why she stays but she gets her moment in the spotlight at the end dressed as Cat - great performance Rebecca!

A feeing of cast unity came across, congratulations to committee, cast and crew - an enjoyable laugh out loud night (still laughing at the trying to sort a date to rehearse out!).

Thank you from Matthew and I for the hospitality, always a lovely welcome.

Liz Hume-Dawson

D5 rep

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