Miniskirts & Revelations

Delighted at being invited for the first time to a performance at The Ifield Barn Theatre, my wife and I were to be treated to a highly entertaining evening.  It is always a privilege to be present at a World Premiere particularly when every aspect of the production is a success.

The set was splendid!  Compact and practical, the kitchen was well designed and skilfully built.

Recalling the trials and tribulations of her youth, ‘Present Day Penny’ was a perfect Narrator.  There was a clear sense that Sue Middleton was re-living the action and not merely reading the script.  The ‘remembered’ Penny was admirably played by Abbie Howes. In this, her first major role, she gave a thoroughly convincing performance, admirably conveying the fluctuating moods of a teenager.  Christine Linden Smith was a lovely Mum.  Perhaps with rather more crises than the average Mum has to bear, she shouldered her changes in fortune with conviction.  On-stage, telephone conversations are particularly difficult to play convincingly.  Christine excelled at these.  How many Grannies have (or had) a past to be kept from their families?  Jan Osbourn had a lovely time with this role, making the very most of both the comic and sad aspects of it.  Craig Bunce gave a very sympathetic performance particularly in this “chat” with Penny.  Gary Morris succeeded in being a pain in the authoritarian neck in the form of an early Health and Safety pest.  Jamie Burridge was fine as the typically detached brother, Mick, while Heather Swoffer gave a brief but striking performance as the somewhat forceful Aunt Doris.

The costumes were admirable with Penny’s development with the changes in fashion being well illustrated.  The projected scene was impressive, the lighting excellent and the clarity of dialogue outstanding.  The props department covered themselves in glory but I have no doubt that someone in the audience found fault with some small item!

This was an altogether pleasing performance of a most entertaining play.  Director, Janine Robins, is to be congratulated on a most successful production and it is gratifying to know that her friendship with such a talented author as Margaret Graham is undimmed.  Here’s to the next collaboration!

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