Move Over Mrs. Markham

This play by Ray Cooney and John Chapman is one of their best and it requires a good Director and a strong cast to do it justice. The Longton Players certainly succeeded.

Farce is renowned for being one of the most difficult genres to produce successfully and it is obvious that The Longton Players have worked very hard to give us a night to remember.Maureen Nickson was invited to direct this farce and I know it is very dear to her heart. Good casting is so essential as the play requires physical and emotional performances. The curtains opened to reveal a stunning split set depicting the Markham’s flat with a solid door to the bedroom and an innovative revolving door to another room. The set was decorated in colourful 70’s style with well researched furniture and props. Congratulations to the Company for using local Charity Shops for the loan of furniture. Costumes and accessories appeared to be authentic for the period.   John Tipping and crew have done well with set construction and John has produced first class Sound and Lighting effects.

The experienced cast worked very well together as the complexities of the plot unfolded and the pace quickened. 

The opening appeared to be a little laboured but maybe that is what the writers intended, building the tension and pace as the show progressed?

There were some very strong performances this evening. Dean Wallace played Alistair Spenlow the Interior Designer at just the correct level, showing great versatility and comic timing. Josephine Turner as Linda Lodge and Lesley Southworth as Joanna Markham looked very comfortable in their roles and made sure that the pace never faltered.James Miley as Philip Markham was outstanding as the “man in the middle” as events developed around him. Diction and projection from all the cast was first class. The play was dedicated to John Nickson, a consummate actor, who played various roles for the Company and I know Maureen and all involved would be inspired by this wonderful man. Congratulations to all involved in this very entertaining evening.

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