Play Trilogy

As part of the Sedgefield Drama Festival, Matchbox Theatre Company performed a trilogy of short plays

Ten Minutes to Reach Inside - Steve Pinkney (Dr Stewart) gave a controlled performance as the councellor dealing with a heavily withdrawn young woman Katie played by Lynne Carss. In this ten minute play Lynne was mostly silent but her facial and bodily reactions to her doctor's voice and questions were a master class of a woman 'on the edge'. When eventually Lynne did speak her dialogue was clear and powerful as between the two of them they discovered a way forward. Excellent thought provoking play.

Muse - Seeking inspiration, looking for his 'muse' to help with his writing David (Lee Passmoor) gave a sterling performance as an 'artistic' personalilty as he attempted to find tranquility on a selcluded park bench despite interuptions from various passer by's, tramp (Steve Pinkney), jogger (Annette Morris) and cyclist (Alex Morris). Along comes Janet (Lucy McCabe) as a down to earth, street wise young teenage mother with a 'colourful' vocabulary.
Lee and Lucy worked really well together portraying the opposite ends of the spectrum - each being beleiveable in their roles - I understand this was Lucy's first play and she has a future in straight drama if she wishes to persue it.

Mankind - exploring the distasteful world of domestic abuse this five hander was a powerful piece. Ashley (Sarah Hutchinson) as busy working wife gave a measured performance when her husband John (Malcolm Quinn) arrives home battered and bruised. Was Gareth (Lee Passmoor), Ashley's alleged lover responsible? Dave (Steve Pinkney) as friend to John tries to help resolve matter but it eventually relys on the entrance of the police (Jean Ord) to sort out the situation.
This was a powerful and thought provoking glimpse into the world of husband battering that tested Sarah and Malcolm's acting prowess to the limit - and both were up to it.

This trilogy of plays was each a seperate entity and all stretched the imaginations of the audience - well done to all the actors regardless of the size of the role as each played what was before them with gusto and skill.
Set and props was minimalistic, as required by a company going 'on tour', but portrayed the scene wonderfully. Well done Tom and the cast of Matchbox.

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