Love begins at fifty

This is a well scripted play that requires good pace and believable characters in a setting of a tired marriage.  The writing and the situations created are farcical in sections, with enough normal behaviour thrown in to make the story interesting and coherent. The performance area was intimate and welcoming with a great atmosphere while the script was very well put together.  

The box set worked well here as all the action took place in the family home. The pink walls, red settee, pictures, mirror, dining table and chairs and sideboard all looked appropriate for the 1990s period, while the record player brought back many memories.  Costumes were very nicely chosen to help create the characters, with Mavis dressed in hippie style and Jack with a mix of good biker tee-shirts.  The Roy Orbison outfit was lovely!  The costumes all underlined the period of the play in style, yet the bright colours helped to lift the action.  The sound was very effective and well cued, while the lighting was very nicely controlled.  The props were excellent, with an authentic working Dansette record player with legs, an instamatic camera with film and costume accessories. 

However, it was the actors that brought this show to life. The show was well cast, and the characters telling of their personal histories at the beginning was very well timed. There was good pace to the performance but nothing felt hurried. Any pauses seemed fitting to the script as the action was continued in character.  There were occasions when perhaps the vocal projection could have been stronger, particularly with the three ladies’ scene. However, all told, this was a good performance for a first night.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable evening of entertainment, bringing alive a good script with a team of actors who related very well to one another onstage.  Congratulations on a welcome return to the stage!

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