Love and Money

Derek and Pauline Felton live in a quiet Midlands suburb with their daughter Amy who loves boys and animal rights. A household robbery, an excessive insurance claim, a nosey neighbour, a daughter who falls for the burglar, the local police man who falls for her and the local vicar who falls for the Scenes of the Crime Officer and you have an eccentric mix of farce and fun! With a cast of eight players and a fixed set, this was a perfect choice for the venue.

‘Derek’ and ‘Pauline Felton’ acting with great humour by Hugh Raymer and Liz Whitehouse, have different views about the insurance claim which Derek sees as a once in a lifetime opportunity for a large pay-out.  Neighbour ‘Joyce’ witnesses the burglary and records a list of the departing stolen items, but relishes the opportunity to be irritatingly helpful, in a style well captured by Tina Dyble. ‘PC Ben Draper’ arrives but in an attempt to deflect him from solving the case, Derek persuades him to think more of providing emotional support to daughter Amy.  Steve Willis plays the role with suitable gullibility but misinterprets his own chances with Amy, (Kerry Horne) who obviously not a great judge of character, plays the love struck daughter with a fresh and endearing conviction.

Meanwhile ‘The Rev. Peter Jones’ calls on Derek to invite him to participate in an upcoming televised service, which Derek relishes as an opportunity for stardom! Chris Marsh was every bit a ‘man of the cloth’ portraying the shy and naïve character with a strong presence. When SOCO ‘Elizabeth Anderson’ (Jacci Phillips) arrives and her magnifying glass is damaged, they both become amorously and amusingly entwined with superglue! Jacci captures the character, a professional on the one hand whilst still looking for that special partner in her personal life. Although initially unrecognisable as ‘Tony Peck’ the burglar, Dave Vas demonstrates well, Tony’s lack of criminal skills, but you can’t help having some sympathy for him as he returns the stolen goods to clear his name, much to Derek’s annoyance. With a final twist, perhaps wrongs are put right and the future looks brighter for all.

Very occasionally there is a blip in continuity and in one instance the experience of Liz Whitehouse supported by Tina Dyble overcame the moment admirably. The set was effective and the regular sound effects (door bell and telephone) were well timed. 

Kate Joels can be pleased with her debut direction and it was good to meet the author, Raymond Hopkins from Oxfordshire, after the performance and to learn that the royalties from the play (£43k to date) are all donated to Multiple Sclerosis Research in the hope of eventually finding a cure.

Thank you for the usual warm welcome and I look forward to next year’s productions.

 

 

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