Neighbourhood Watch

The Massies, Martin and Hilda (Jack Morter and Maris McCann) are competently played, giving the air of a married couple who ae outwardly quite normal, but under their quiet exteriors are very complex people. This was Jack's first outing in a part this size but dealing with the mild mannered but powerful character of Martin he showed a maturity and a wealth of acting ability. Who better to have as your sister and partner on stage but Maris. Her confidence on stage and clean delivery showing the experience of a seasoned performer.

Their neighbours and fellow neighbourhood watch protagonists are a very mixed bunch, but each showing a trait that you would find in any committee-type situation.

Rod Trusser (Fred Nash), the retired ex-army “stand no nonsense” sort of fellow who deals with things head on, was well portrayed, as Fred showed us all the facets of the character and the values that had been bred into him.

 

Dorothy Doggett (Margaret White) played this part beautifully, as she introduced us to the estate busy body. She had us smiling with some of her less than tactful but well-chosen remarks. Gareth Jenner (Jon Moule) was the stammering, downtrodden engineer with the loose wife. It was good to see how his character grew in confidence throughout the piece and his obsession with instruments of torture, more worryingly, grew with it. The loose lady of whom we speak is Amy Jenner (Lillian Carver), this young attractive woman is being friendly with several people on the estate and Lillian played this out as a brash, confident and totally independent lady.

To complete the watch committee is Magda (Isla Butcher) and Luther Bradley (Stephen Hannah). This mismatched pair bring the darker element to the story as Ayckbourn tackles domestic abuse in his usual hard hitting way but then softly moves us back into the story. As Magda opens up to the others about her past, the level of drama increases and was beautifully and sensitively played out. Luther, the rebel of the plot, the bully boy who eventually beaten by strong words but no action from Martin was never caricatured and this was a genuine angry man.

What happens next - Martin, holding a figurine of Jesus, is shot dead by armed police - I'm sure you could have worked out.

This is not a side splitting play but portrays life in the extreme so well.

Director Laurence Barnett should be very content as he watches this strong cast perform a very difficult play so well. Another good evening's entertainment.

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