Passing Strangers

Passing Strangers another comedy by Eric Chappell - as the Director Jenny Whur says a particular favourite of hers. She takes this on with a cast of four, a strong cast who weave their way through this wordy play. The action takes place in the run up to Christmas in a deserted hotel bar where the Singles Night is happening in another room, complete with the light casting the impression of disco lights and the sound caressing the action of music in the distance with the occasional volume up so we can here blasts of Barry White and such. The set by Eddie Stanley and Liam Stanley giving just enough impression of the room people break out into to escape the noise with fire door to the outside. Make-up and hair were in keeping and costume by Margaret Speakes suited the characters with the part of Malc looking like he had been manhandled by security.

Cameron Rowe as Clive is persuaded to come out to the Singles Night as he is getting over his wife Jackie leaving him for another man (she thought he was boring). He doesn’t want to be there and keeps ringing his ex-wife. His moping, general wetness and bursting into tears soon disappear when he realises with strangers he can become not Clive the Porter but Clive the Doctor - as goaded by his friend Malc. It’s an interesting transition as an actor from seemingly wet to the man who has a bronze medal in dance and sweeps Julie off her feet. Great comic timing and some corker lines - in fact, the cast of four all had their moments with some great delivery.

Adrian White as Malc, the cynical single middle-aged man, oh yes and lives with his mother. He thinks he knows it all and what’s best for other people. The confirmed bachelor with a fickle memory that proves his downfall - or maybe not. Adrian has a louche manner that works very well - he gives the sense as an actor that it’s all natural and easy. Adrian portrayed the friend who masterminds and manipulates his friend very well.

Cathryn Megan Hughes as Julie came bursting onto the scene with character firmly in place: men to her are what they do and how much they earn - particularly appealing is a man with a fleet of mobile skips to his name. We have no idea what these men look like although a hearing aid was mentioned, implying one’s senior age “It’s all about the Money, Money!” Being divorced and more than once telling people she was living on bare boards as her Ex had stripped her house of the carpets – including the underlay! She dresses to impress, just don’t ask where she bought them. With an energetic performance that never waned Cathryn gave you woman with materialistic ambition and you sort of get the feeling she will turn into a Malc - excellent performance.

Ingrid Folkard-Evans as Liz or Elizabeth or was it Bet?(!) - Ingrid plays woman bitter-but-still-pining for her husband, who’s choice of woman now is a blonde with a tooth missing. What did she do? You get the feeling right from the start she does not want to be there but if she goes home all that’s waiting for her is a chocolate orange and a sugar mouse. Like all the other characters in this comedy it is bitter sweet as we are actually watching very lonely, unhappy people.  Ingrid’s edge and rudeness towards Malc soon reveal that she has been deeply hurt in the past. A very thoughtful performance.

All four managed to deliver the pathos needed for this play and strong first night performance under the guidance of Jenny, however at times I did think you could lift the pace. I am sure this will come as the actors settle into the week. Great first show of the season. Congratulations Cast and Crew. Once again thank you for making Matthew and I feel so welcome.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.