London Suite

Finally I’ve made it to Wrington Memorial Hall and see Wrington Drama Club.  What a gem of a place! I’ve lived just up the road for a number of years and  embarrassed to say this is my first visit. What a terrific setting, especially on what  was a lovely sunny evening. Thank you Andrew for your very warm welcome.  

What a set! I couldn’t help but sit there admiring it. A true feel for many a London  hotel I’ve stayed in over the years. It looked full of comfort and warmth, and to be  able to build out the stage gave it that classic suite feel. On a normal stage I don’t  think we would have got that. I liked the way you partitioned off just in front of the  bed and created a dressing room area to stage right. This really was a first class  set. Well done to Julie and all involved.  

I was lucky enough this year to go to The Savoy Theatre and see “Plaza Suite”  with two very well known actors and I’ve got to be honest, I think I preferred the  plays in your production. I thought the pace was very swift, especially in between  the plays. I know there wasn’t a lot to be done, but it was done with precision and  kept the pace going.  

I thought all four plays were extremely well cast. What a wealth of talent in  Wrington. It was really nice to see a few of the actors take on more than one play  just to see the acting range and I must say bravo to you guys - some very different  characterisations portrayed, at one point I had to look in the program to see if it  was the same person. Brilliant.  

Considering this was a first night I thought the pace and dialogue pick up was  extremely good. I just felt this slightly changed during “Diana and Sydney” just felt  very slightly laboured midway through but I doubt the audience would have given it  a second thought. I really felt you had obviously had a good rehearsal period and  were drilled extremely well by the director. All the comedy was there. Some of the  timing was impeccable. You can’t teach that, it comes with experience, and on a  first night as an actor I know you are still playing around with lines as you just need  that audience to let you know whether your delivery was right or not. Some very  funny moments were created, even the more subtle lines came across very, very  well.  

Also I appreciated how the actors could change the mood so quickly going from a  funny situation to a more poignant one. Typical in “Going Home” the mood  changes were excellent. Laughing about the upcoming date and then the thoughts  of the late husband. 

All in all I must say that was a very enjoyable night creating first class  entertainment for the Wrington community. It created such a buzz in the audience  with almost everyone knowing one another. I certainly didn’t feel an outsider for  long as was carried along into the conversation of my row. Congratulations on a  full house too. Perfect.  

Billy Fox/Mark Ferris  

Two very contrasting parts. Very strong actor with excellent diction. We could  certainly feel your pain being held up by Brian at gun point. Your eyes told us  everything as though you were trying to work out the best route out of this  situation. Loved the socks too. As Mark you were extremely funny. Those one  liners were cracking. You kept “The Man on the Floor” running at a great pace.  

Sheryl Semple/Diana Nichols  

It was you I had to check the program to make sure it was the same actress in  both plays. I loved both performances. You gave us some wonderful tender  moments when talking about your late husband and created a terrific mother/ daughter relationship with Lauren. Then we get the larger than life actress Diana  who I felt you based slightly on Norma Desmond. This worked a treat. You had us  believing your feelings for Sydney were still there and got every ounce of comedy  when needed. Great costumes and a very natural actress. I felt completely at ease  watching you. I look forward to your next venture.  

Grace Chapman/Annie Ferris  

Congratulations on two very different parts. The very dutiful maid, to the very  difficult needs of your mistress Diana. You really conveyed that need to help her in  difficult situations in a strict but very tender way and then we had Annie who was  completely different. Good American accent and I loved the change in energy you  really took Annie up a notch. Good comic timing and clear diction. Costumes just  right. Suited your characters perfectly.  

Brian Cronin  

First thing I noticed about you was a great stage presence, you held your character  throughout and showed us all sides to him. I thought you managed the  drunkenness very successfully without taking it over the top and had those comic  lines off perfectly. “Settling accounts” felt very well rehearsed and I thought you  both were perfectly cast. Great accent ( could have been your own for all I know) I  enjoyed this play very much.  

Lauren Semple/Bellgirl  

I enjoyed reading Julie’s message about you in the program. I think they are going  to miss you! What a wonderful vibrant young actress you are. I particularly loved  Lauren. This was such a believable partnership of mother and daughter. You tell us  the story using your eyes as well as great expression. I’m wondering if you are  pursuing an acting career as I think you will do well. I hope to hear how your story  progresses. I for one also wish you well. 

Sidney Nichols  

You certainly looked perfect for this role. Very dashing just a slight campness that  certainly didn’t go over the top which would have failed this play. The movements  all felt very natural and I loved the air of confidence when you first appeared then allowing your vulnerabilities to come through when the truth was out. Some pick  ups of dialogue were very slightly laboured but it certainly gave us pause for  thought. I remember thinking whilst watching you and Diana together how you’d  both suit “Private Lives” thought for the future maybe? 

Mrs Sitgood  

I thought how well your character tied in nicely with changing the little bits on the  set in between the plays. You made it clear you were in charge and had a nice air  of authority about you. Good clear diction and I loved the references to Kevin  Costner. Nicely done.  

Dr. McMerlin  

No such thing as a small part. Believably played and you were very funny. I felt  there was great teamwork in this play and you all worked extremely well together.  Great timing and loved the accent.  

All in all I had a very enjoyable evening with you all. A lot of hard work, time and  effort had gone into “London Suite” which was well directed and constructed.  Thank you all for the welcome and really hope I get invited next time.  

Best wishes to you all 

Mike x

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