Lucky Me

Robert Caisley, who wrote this romantic comedy, gave the Fellowship Players a chance to try out creative theatre techniques and share a story marked by humour, love, and misfortune. The originality of the production attracted Dominic Holmes, the director, who embraced the challenges. With the support of a capable cast, performances werecharacterised by efficient pacing, a blend of comedic and romantic aspects, and incisive, compelling dialogue.

Director Dominic Holmes skilfully staged the production by establishing a setting that balanced the tension of potential hazards in the life of the leading character, Sara, with aspects of ordinary domestic life. Dominic Holmes, with his set design team and stage manager, created the perfect set, not only showing where key character, Sara Fine lived, but what she survived every day, highlighting just how extraordinary Sara’s chaos truly was.

The play was set in a small, cluttered two bedroomed apartment on the second floor, with a narrow kitchen with a door leading to the outer entrance and a hallway leading off tobedrooms and a bathroom. The window served as a central focal point and was often boarded up, symbolising Sara’s vulnerability to the outside world. Furnishings weremismatched and the sofa was covered in protective plastic. 

We learn that Sara’s life for the previous 22 years had been a series of disastrous events and mishaps both physical and emotional. She was coping the best she could with a constantly leaking roof, a broken window that seemed to invite objects thrown through it; the expectancy of dead fish in the fish bowl, light bulbs that blew out so often she kept an entire cupboard filled with replacements; and a cat that goes missing frequently. Sara Fine experienced several unusual circumstances, including caring for her father Leo, who was blind and often confused.

When we meet Sara in Act 1, she is coming home from the hospital with her foot in a boot on crutches. She had fallen off the roof. Accompanying Sara is Tom, her new, friendly and empathetic neighbour, who had rescued her from the fall into the bushes and took her to hospital. Tom tried to help Sara find her way to a new beginning. Standing in the way of any possibility of a developing romance was Sara’s blind father, Leo, who hoped to protect his daughter from all harm.

Rachel Holmes was utterly brilliant in this multilayered role: cautious, caring sarcastic and complex. Her American accent consistent, matching her ability to deliver the most outrageous lines with a weary honesty. Rachel inhabited the role very successfully, capturing the way Sara had developed a thick skin against catastrophe. She was not ready for the romantic zeal of Tom who wouldn’t accept what he hears or sees.

The role of Tom was delivered by Dave Mills, giving a polished performance of quiet strength and immaculate comedic timing. His endearing character initially appearedpainfully awkward towards Sara, but as his attraction to the unfortunate Sara increased, he learned about her bizarre streak of bad luck that had been haunting her for years. Tom wantedto understand Sara, despite her reserved nature, but wasdistracted by her father repeatedly calling him Brad.

The role of Leo, a complicated man with his own life issueswas handled by Noel Redfern, who nailed the part with his comedic hostility, abrasive and grumpy manner. Leo was delusional; extremely rude; contemptible and often angry. He often mocked every word spoken by Tom or was talking to an imaginary person on the phone. Noel played these characteristics with great skill and acted as if he was blind. This was possibly selective in character, as he seemed to navigate the apartment well to move into the kitchen and bathroom and bedroom with ease; and he conveniently ‘smelt’Tom when he was wearing his uniform. His sharp comments and quick comebacks drew plenty of laughter from those watching.  

Sam Evans completed the cast as Yuri the Ukrainian landlordof the apartment and appeared in the second half. He made most of his entrances from the bathroom and evidently spent a lot of time in the apartment fixing things. Sam added another layer of humour to the play. His facial responses, hisphysicality, his unpredictability, accent and strange words of wisdom made him a delight to observe. The quartet of actors, all appropriately costumed, worked magnificently together,their chemistry an asset to the play. Dominic's guidance kept the performance lively, aided by rapid scene transitions accompanied by a mix of songs, one of which featured Jimmy Durrant! Dominic Holmes and Stan Vigurs did a splendid jobwith sound and lighting design, which certainly bolstered the onstage electricity gags. 

Fortunately, the play concluded on a positive note, with Sara and Tom's romance gaining Leo's endorsement. This was a piece of theatre which deserved big audiences and though not one I would categorise as a comedy, I found it compelling. Congratulations to all the cast and crew. Thank you for inviting me.

Ann Escritt, Regional Representative District 7

It is always a pleasure to be invited to a production by The Fellowship Players, and I was particularly looking forward to attending a play with which I had no prior familiarity. I was, however, somewhat surprised to find the foyer less busy than usual, and to learn that box office sales had not matched those of previous productions by this talented group.

That said, the smaller audience in no way reflected the quality of the performance. The compact cast worked exceptionally well together and undoubtedly deserved a full house.

Ann has already provided a comprehensive description of the set, which was both thoughtfully designed and impressively robust. The lighting cues were critical in this production, especially in conveying the effect of lights blowing. This was executed with striking precision, enhanced by an effective buzzing sound that added to the overall impact.

In terms of casting, Ann has also captured well the high standard of acting delivered by each of the four performers.

I look forward to their next production, Quiz, in June 2026.

Andy Brown, Regional Councillor NODA West Midlands.

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