Passing Places

No matter what style of play The Dilys Guite Players perform, from comedy to Shakespeare, the result is always outstanding and “Passing Places” is no exception.

The dedication and talent of the cast and crew are evident in every aspect of this production. With skilful direction by Bethany Whitaker, the play was brought to life with vivid performances, detailed direction and a commitment to reality that rang with the audience.

The use of projections, all filmed by Bethany, not only set the stage but also conveyed the vastness of the journey, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the scenery of Scotland. There were numerous scene changes with the black boxes and worn-out Lada (sofa with a cover) moved around the stage with great dexterity, not only by the stage crew, but also by the cast.

This was Bethany’s first full-length production ably assisted by Lucy and I hope to see more of their work in the future.    

The cast of nine very talented actors gave first-class performances with many taking on more than one role. Being set in Scotland, genuine accents were of course required. With expert guidance from accent coach Christy Stanley, the cast successfully delivered the dialogue with excellent Scottish accents and at a good pace. Their costumes perfectly suited the characters, and the play also featured dancing to a Scottish reel and some singing.

The storyline follows two young lads from Motherwell with not much going for them

in a town which has nothing to offer. Alex works for a sports shop owned by a psychopathic gangster boss named Binks. During a heavy night of drinking Alex, along with his mate Brian, steals a prized surfboard in which Binks has hidden stolen goods without their knowledge. Realizing what they have done, they do a runner in a worn-out and unreliable Lada, taking the surfboard with them. They head north for Thurso, which is known for surfing, and they hope to sell the surfboard there. However, Binks is hot on their heels.  

Their journey through the Scottish Highlands involves series of mishaps and unexpected encounters with an array of wonderful characters; in particular, Iona and a free-spirited girl named Mirren who join them on their journey. All this time, Alex and Brian try their best to keep ahead of Binks, who eventually catches up and threatens to kill them. Fortunately, Iona uses her influence and appears to calm Binks. During the journey, romance blossoms between the two couples and Brian stays with Iona in the Highlands. Alex and Mirren – well, let’s leave it to them.

Andrej Panic and Ryan Pugh, as Alex and Brian respectively, gave very powerful and superb performances. Alex and Brian have been mates since school days and the great camaraderie shown throughout the play evoked both laughter and empathy from the audience. Agnetha Louise Spencer gave a brilliant portrayal of Mirren to meet her gentle and warm personality and Agentha looked so much at ease with this character.      Alistair Mackay gave an incredible performance as the violent Binks. Portraying a character with a psychotic disorder can be easily misinterpreted if not done carefully. Alistair's portrayal brought a sense of fear to the audience.  

There were other roles, all essential to the plot and played to perfection. Anna Barker played Iona, from a shoplifter to a clairvoyant, and with a lovely singing voice. Christy Fitzsimons portrayed various distinct characters and Sue Burgess, Phil Eardley and Shuqi Yu also delivered notable characterisations.

A successful production requires good direction, acting and a competent technical and stage crew to maintain a solid pace. Matt Hutchinson, as Stage Manager, ensured that all the scene changes moved with ease.

This production of "Passing Places" was a masterful blend of compelling performances, meticulous direction, and top-notch technical execution. It was not just a play but an experience that resonated with everyone in the audience and the applause at the end said it all.

Thank you for the invitation and, as always, the warm hospitality.

Sue Cox   - Drama Rep

NODA N E Region 14

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