Out Of Focus

Out of Focus written by Peter Gordon is set in a church hall and was performed in Westhoughton United Reformed church hall - how apt!

Peter Schofield directs and the action utilizes all the hall – front, back, sides and even the serving hatch - giving the audience a sense of involvement in this mismatch of characters that all turn up at once as there has been an administrative error with bookings. The overall action was naturalistic and featured amusing sideshows that didn’t distract from the main action, but instead helped to frame it. This gave the audience lots to look at as the hall was the set – a nice device.

Costume by Christine Latham and Barbara Wilde and make up were all in keeping with the characters from the normal to the pantomime costumes, including glitter!

Lighting by Neville Bumby worked well in the space but for Sound I was confused with some of the music choices and not sure how Shaggy fitted into it?!

Ben Kilburn playing Bob Enfield, the spineless husband who thinks he can get away with inviting a work colleague, Linda Hammond, played by Caitlin Owen, to play badminton at the church hall with him without bargaining on his wife staying to support him - it all goes wrong from then on, but he prefers to put up with all she throws at him. Ben plays this character well with the web of lies he has weaved and let’s not mention the police and Tesco. Hilarious (I wish I could have seen his Ugly Sister portrayal)!

Helena Carter played Kath Enfield, wife of Bob – you wouldn’t want to mess with her! Helena’s character came in strong and forceful and I was glad to see another side of her when championing the underdog later on in the play - showing versatility. Loved the “bag, Bob!”

Graham Talbot takes on the role of Leonard Trotter, while being a character you laugh at with his History of Fuel Injection Systems for Beginners  - and he actually wonders why his 72-different slide shows never get any repeat bookings - we all know someone like him and realise he is just so lonely. He played him with a fragility that made you want to invite him home for tea (well, maybe only once). I loved the trousers tucked into the socks for cycling, unfortunately kept like that when not cycling. When he was dressed up as the Baron I had an image he probably slept in the costume - a well thought out character.

Emily Hill played Helen Beever, who just wants a man even if he is the vicar and married.  A scary lady who is bossy and takes no prisoners. Some funny moments, but if being picky would have loved to see some vulnerability in the character too for some light and shade.

Zoey Tattersall as Sue Dixon, who gets mistaken for a Brownie helper when she has just come to play badminton and then ends up playing principal boy in the pantomime, complete with thigh slaps, gave a strong, consistent performance. She interacted and had some lovely moments together with Helena and Ben’s characters. Some great comic moments too – bravo!

I did think some first night nerves were evident, particularly towards the end with the ensuing comic chaos – this could have been tighter in its portrayal and has the potential to be even funnier, which I’m sure it will be. The cast worked well together and there were some really laugh out loud moments.  Thank you for inviting me and my guest.

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