On The Air Tonight

S.S. Simon and Jude’s ADS gave us a night of two halves - a comedy radio play by Peter Higginbotham and a cabaret song and dance.

The stage was set for the radio play On The Air Tonight as we walked in. A small Cupboard Down-Stage Left with vase on and bin near by, large tinfoil baking tray and Kellogg’s cereal packet at the side. Three chairs against the back wall and a hat stand right of the chairs with hats and a brolly on. Stage Left was a table with all the technical equipment needed for a radio show. A large window frame hanging down to separate it from the rest of the stage. Two microphones down Centre Stage. Hanging down back Centre Stage were two studio signs ‘On Air’ and ‘Rehearsal.’ Stage Manager Andy Jones. Various props were then used throughout and for the sound effects. Sound and lighting then helped the show along. Sound and Lights by WS Productions Ltd Neo Leach and Wayne Gibson.

Stella Crank directs and unbeknown to her at 90 mins notice had to take on the part of Ethel the Studio Cleaner. The play starts off gently with little digs throughout as the characters, relationships and hierarchy are established then the chaos starts. Stella gave us the very forthright Ethel who just wanted to do her job even if they were recording. Lindsay Taylor played Hermione/Laura, giving us the bitter wife and having to witness her husband flirting with the younger actress. The cracks begin to show and we see the woman on the edge. Suzanne Smith takes on the role of Teri the studio sound engineer and what she doesn’t know about trains is not worth knowing. Unfortunately, her getting stuck in a lift leads to the chaos.

David Crank takes on the role of George who plays Dr Alec Harley and Fred the boring husband (Or is he?) in the radio play. David looked to have great fun playing these parts and was a great foil for Lindsay Taylor to react to. Heather Cooper took on the role of Suzanne playing Iris the waitress and Dulcie’s friend to Laura. Heather did have to contend with a mic that was playing up on the night and handled it very well. Heather’s character was the one that had to find most of the props from around the studio when the sound effects person Teri gets stuck in the lift. This was hilarious and the moment the cornflakes are thrown at someone and land on someone else you probably heard me laughing. So funny.

Chris Roberts played Richard the long-suffering Studio Director. The calm persona unravelling before our eyes. Trying to direct the non-responsive cast who have issues of their own. When he tries to direct George playing Dr Alec Harley played by David Crank on how to say Hello, you feel for him. Charlie Roberts playing Maurice who plays Mr Perkins the ticket inspector with his deadpan voice - very comical, with his train announcements and facial expresssions. Maxine Carraway played Rose the refreshment room Manageress. To note Maxine took on this role with 90 mins notice and gave us a well-rounded character as I said before the incident with the cornflakes when they landed on her instead of the intended victim was hilarious. Well played.

Towards the end of the play the comedy was ramped up with the cast having to make sound effect themselves with voice and objects. The cast doing a radio play had clipboards - just a note to hold them down away from faces so we can see your expressions, which were funny. The scene when the clipboards got wet was also a notably funny moment.

The second half was a complete change with black, glitter and gold set. With steps and raised staging at the back complete with strip lighting. Directed by Heather Cooper “As Requested By You” took us through song and dance numbers.

Opening with Radio Ga Ga was done by the Ensemble looking splendid in black and red.

Followed by Charlie Roberts giving us Ain’t That A Kick In The Head complete with cane. The Female Ensemble then gave us Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams. Followed by The Male Ensemble’s King of The Road. Maxine Carraway gave us Who Knew by Pink - a hard song to sing and hitting just the right note, equally Heather Cooper hit the right note with Elton John’s Your Song. Again, despite mic issues Heather ploughed on like a trooper. Chris Roberts, Charlie Roberts and David Crank gave us Little Old Wine Drinker Me sat down gambling at cards and drinking, giving it a very relaxed feel. Chris then gave us a very comical version of Where Am I Gonna Live? With Susanna Smith acting out his ex-wife. The audience loved it.

Barbara Lewis then performed a lovely version of It Might as Well Rain Until September followed by Ellis, Jess, Ruby and Heather with Sing. Sienna Smith was supposed to sing a duet and being the first time on stage she took the song on her own Mr Rock and Roll by Amy Macdonald and grew in confidence as the song progressed. Commendable. The finale was Video Killed the Radio Star with the Ensemble again looking splendid in blacks with gold waistcoats or jackets. A lot of thought had gone into the presentation and the costumes all adding to the spectacular. A lovely mix of theatre and cabaret. Thank you for the invite from my guest Chris and I.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5

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