Neighbourhood Watch
Information
- Date
- 19th October 2022
- Society
- Bury St Edmunds Operatic & Dramatic Society
- Venue
- Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
- Type of Production
- Play
- Director
- Nic Metcalfe
- Musical Director
- N/A
- Choreographer
- N/A
- Producer
- Kat Metcalfe
- Written By
- Alan Ayckbourn
Alan Ayckbourn’s 75th play, ‘Neighbourhood Watch’, written in 2011, tackles the age old subject of law and order and volunteer vigilantes. As always with Ayckbourn the piece is driven by the characters and wry observation by the writer of what is wrong with the idealist’s intentions for the “Big Society” that former Prime Minister David Cameron so wanted for this country. But allowing volunteers to police the society they live in has disastrous consequences in this tale.
Brother and sister Martin and Hilda Massie live together, leading a quiet, Christian existence in the confines of the Bluebell Hill Development. Just as they are preparing for a housewarming gathering, their peace is shattered by a young trespasser in their garden. The Massies' neighbours congregate in their living room and together they agree to form a neighbourhood watch group to safeguard against further incidents. But after the Massies' beloved garden gnome Monty is thrown through their window, matters swiftly escalate, … What begins as a well-intentioned scheme for a safer community ends in violence and acrimony.
The company produced an excellent stage set of Martin and Hilda’s very green living room, where all the action takes place. However, I did have problems working out the configuration of the house at times. The set was nicely dressed although, personally, I didn’t feel the occupiers were really comfortable in it and having only five seats when several scenes required at least six meant one character (usually Martin) had to stand. A dining chair brought in from another room for the committee scenes would have helped considerably. There was good lighting including the verdant garden from the lounge, and sound effects, though rather loud, worked well. Costumes were uncredited in the programme so I assume these were provided by the cast and suited their characters.
Leading the cast are practicing pacifist Martin well played by Phil Cockell and his prudish sister Hilda, who has secrets of her own, well characterised by Jess Hughes. Their cohorts on the Watch Committee include Dorothy who used to work on the advertising section of the local paper but who fancies herself as a budding journalist, was beautifully handled by Jane Haythornwaite-Smith in a well-timed performance, a suspicious ex-security officer Rod played by John Levantis who, for me, wasn’t nearly paranoid or authoritative enough, their timid musician neighbour Magda, the downtrodden wife of the bully on the street played by Phoebe Bartlett. Her monologue was very well delivered Other members of the committee were their other neighbour, the rather ineffectual Gareth nicely played by Ben Child and his promiscuous wife Amy played by Anna Damigella who put in a bravura performance, bringing a breath of fresh air and sexual intrigue to the proceedings. Completing the cast line-up was Lee Berry who gave a suitably menacing performance as Magda’s controlling husband Luther.
Well done to Director Nic Metcalfe and his team and, although projection was a problem at times and slight hesitancy in some cases slowed the pace somewhat, this was nevertheless an enjoyable performance of this great play.
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