On Air

What a great combination of the Four by Four plays (already seen by that group, some acted and some as radio) with a new interpretation and presentation as a set of radio plays by New Buckenham: so interesting to see a different take on the written material and giving a chance, not only another airing for original work, for a new group of thespians and directors.  A good mix of plays. Liked the radio studio set and the radio presenter Tom Nash.

 Lou Betts play ‘Daisy pulls it off’, directed Meryl Anderson, a well balanced cast with the four complimenting each other and bringing out the story with the many twists.  Sam Jones, Tom Underwood, Richard Peat, and Meryl Anderson kept the story and the suspense level running high, and how excellent the ‘sound effects’ man Ian Webb which raised the game and the humour level.  A really good start to the evening.

Tony Vale’s ‘Turning the Tables’, seen in Wymondham and at Hunstanton Drama Festival, looked totally different with the new cast of Sally Elvin and Sam Jones, directed by Mike Boswell: this duologue with the complete change in power and emphasis came over so well and made one think about behavioural traits and communication with care.

And then to the fish and chips interlude and social before part two.

Alan Huckle is always so clever with his plays with many twists and turns both black and humorous, and ‘Holiday Money’ was no exception, the viewer has to keep up with the action always so as not to miss anything.  The director Meryl Anderson kept a tight rein on the two actors for speed, and Richard Peat and Ian Webb produced the interplay and the resulting changes in dominance with aplomb and kept us guessing the outcome.

‘The Fly’ from Katherine Mansfield and directed by John Underwood (who also played half cast, with Steve Highton) had quite a nasty turn and taste well maintained and as a contrast to the rest of the programme.

And finally Richard Crawley’ s ‘Famous Five at Seventy’, directed by Sally Elvin with style: seen fairly recently elsewhere and this take-off/spoof of Enid Blyton entertained hugely before but this time the OTT characterisations and interactions just made it hilarious.  John Underwood, Ian Webb, Meryl Anderson, Sally Elvin, and Tom Underwood entered the spirit of the piece in full flood for the picnic and the whale with no inhibitions and how it all worked!

I have great admiration for all those who can bring to life the stories and characters without the sets/ costumes/ movements and acting to assist: to just use voice is very difficult and how well the group succeeded in bringing it all to life with such spirit and panache.  A really good evening of entertainment showing talents from pen and stage.

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