Old Charlie's Party

This one-act play by Mike Newbold was an excellent vehicle for the young talents of the Wilburton Theatre Group.  A quirky tale of gnomes and elves celebrating the 400th birthday of Old Charlie.

The Children, played well by Caitlin Fleming (Anna), Ruby Chambers (Julie), Abigail Nation (Katy), Isobel Chambers (Sonia) and Harry Keeble (Jim) decide to dress up and present their version of X Factor using the gnomes as an audience.  All five gave a very good account of themselves.  They were very natural in their delivery with the girls giving poor Jim a hard time because he wasn't overly keen on dressing up! There was some good delivery of lines and all spoke clearly.

The three garden Gnomes, Joe (Charlie Crick), Bill (Aidan Meikle) and Alf (Freddie Aton) were very good.  Joe was wonderfully grumpy and loved his mead, Bill enthusiastic and lively was up for anything and Alf managed to keep both of the others sort of under control.  Three good and amusing performances.  At the party they were joined by Miles Reynolds as Old Charlie and George Keeble as the King.  It is always hard for minor role players to find their feet when they have to come on well into the play but they both managed.

Leading the nine Elves as Fern was Evie Street who had the other elves running around organising the party.  Well done Eleanor Tomkins, Rachel Griffiths, Katie Winn, Darcey Hickling, Cecily McIntyre, Ana Fleming, Rihanna Roe and Fergus Axton.  All of you did what you needed to do.

Maybe you won't mind a few acting comments (or tips).  Stagecraft is something you get better at  the more you do.  The thing to remember is leave your own self backstage and think you are the person you are playing.  Think yourself into the characters skin.  Maybe make up something about your character - called a back story - to help you.  Perhaps this time you don't have lines but you should still stay involved.  Think what your character might do at a party etc.  Body language too is important.  Arm folding is a defence mechanism so if your character doesn't call for it, don't do too much of it.  If you are someone important stand proud pull your shoulders back and be in command.  Next time you are in a show watch what others more experienced on stage do and tuck away little tips to use yourself.  Although everyone spoke well and clearly projection is very important too even when seemingly talking between yourselves as when the Children were dressing up. 

Technically the show was good.  There was some nice lighting touches and the sound was fine.  The costumes also were great.  Loved the Gnomes party outfits. One thing I would suggest though, when you do it again, is cut the length of the opening music.  "Get the Party Started" was a great opening song choice but it was too long.  It would be much better to fade the music after about 30/40 seconds . When the lights went down and the music started everyone quietened down ready for curtain up, but because the music went on for the full song, by the time the curtain opened the volume in the hall had risen significantly.

This was a really neat little play and WTG's young actors were lucky to have it as a vehicle for their talents.  Well done to all involved, director Tim Meikle, the "grown ups" supporting the show and the young cast. Onwards and upwards now to the Hunstanton Drama Festival in July.

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