Location: Adlington

I honestly could not think of a better way to spend a beautiful summer evening than strolling through an interestingly historical and very picturesque Lancashire village to watch a promenade play, “Location: Adlington”, performed by RATS as part of the annual “Ribfest” a village wide Music and Arts Festival.   Thus, I was honoured and privileged to be invited to watch “Location: Adlington” written and directed by Rebecca Parkinson and Viki Mason (who Directed alongside Rebecca). 

Our first destination was St, Wilfrid’s Church, where we watched a fictional Village Committee Meeting, where some wonderful and familiar ‘committee-type’ characters emerged, from the no nonsense chairperson – and whom no-one should be in any doubt was firmly ‘in charge’ played by Lisa Lloyd, through to  the traditionalist, and retired postmistress Alice, played by Rachel Billington, Bev, ever the optimist, played by Olivia Hart, Claire, the conspiracy theorist played by Julie Hesketh, the eccentric and aptly named Dotty played by Ornella Bushell-Kinder and Ada the kind and pleasant lady with a habit of repeating herself played by Anne Rogerson.  All were well observed, beautifully characterised and generally vocally good.  All these stalwarts being called together for the regular monthly meeting, and having disposed of the hedge trimming rota, we were moved on to AOB and the startling news that a film crew wished to film a science fiction film on location in the village. Somewhat surprisingly the motion was agreed by 4 to 2 and so the film is to go ahead.

Thus, after proceeding to the Village Green, we are introduced to ‘the actors’ The hugely pompous director, Max Delacroix played by Finlay Hart, the young (and he really was) actor, Zee played by Jay Mason, the frazzled and somewhat stressed production assistant, Tina, played by  Florrie Billington, the over enthusiastic hero worshipping (Max) new production assistant, Delila played by Lisa Riley and the wildly exuberant permanently ‘in character’ actor, Jasmine played by Emili Peake.  Frankly all of whom are to be congratulated for their boundless energy and enthusiasm in such sweltering heat, but they were very funny with it, and hugely, and somewhat worryingly believable, characters.

The play progressed, via, what else but an Alien Survivalist meeting held in a secluded corner of the village allotments, a scene with Dotty and Alice to discuss Dotty’s various concerns on the picturesque riverbank, where the actors and director added their opinion, through to the Film review, at another committee meeting back in the church, with the village committee.

The whole evening was well acted and beautifully characterised by the entire cast, vocally generally good, despite the obvious pitfalls generally associated with working outside.  The ‘scenery’ was simply magnificent

The whole group worked really well together as a team, including the ‘technicals’ with a smoke machine, and lots of coloured lights, which all came together to present a really rather wonderful evening, when the whole group, including the health and safety marshals, and the audience themselves managed to achieve a powerful triumvirate of Drama, Community and great fun all rolled into one.  Thank you!!!

All I can really say is thank you for inviting me a really enjoyable experience.

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