On Golden Pond

For their summer production at the Blackmore Theatre the Exmouth Players chose the classic American comedy/drama On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson. Just as they have done for the last 48 years Norman and Ethel Thayer arrive at their summer house, and as the dust covers are removed and their relationship and characters revealed, would the unexpected arrival of their daughter, with her new boyfriend and his teenage son, upset the cosy pattern of their summer? Nick Lawrence quickly established himself as the sardonic, grumpy Norman, obsessed with his own demise, and was well partnered by Wendy Bishop as his long-suffering wife Norma. Holly Read made a believable Chelsea, portraying the closeness to her Mommy against her never-ending struggle with Norman. Mark Blaber was endearing as country bumpkin mail-man Charlie Martin, and well-lived up to the lines “I look like an old character – You are an old character”!  As boyfriend Bill Ray, Darryl Nicholas was not to be intimated and the “man to man” scene with Norman was very nicely performed. Cameron Dishart was suitably awkward and gangly as teenager Billy, blossoming into the “grandson” Norman and Ethel thought they would never have, and bringing a new lease of life into their twilight years. Costumes were appropriate for the time and place, and furniture particularly well chosen for the setting of an old log cabin in Maine. The production was well directed by Barry Lister with moments of poignant humour and nostalgia for times past, and certainly lived up to its description as warm-hearted and witty, the touching and tender ending highlighting the strong bond and mutual understanding between the couple.

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