Player's Angels

The welcome from Brian Hubbard and Christine Haines at Swaffham is as warm as it is anywhere in NODA Area 4 North and the Barn Theatre is a brilliant venue for plays. As I took my seat for the October offering of Amanda Whittington’s beautifully delicate play, ‘Players Angels’, it was nice to see the auditorium packed to the gunnels and interesting to see omnipresent John Hooker at the helm as the wonderful Marci Loan had been …. otherwise occupied!
Speaking to JH after the show, I found out that the Swaffham Players had performed two other plays by Amanda Whittington in previous years. I was intrigued, as I was not familiar with her, or any of her works. ‘Players Angels’ was a delightful piece with an unspectacular story dealing mostly with the interaction of three girls who work in the John Player Cigarette factory in Nottingham. We find out about the various components that make up their very small lives and their aspirations for the future. There is ambition, love interest and a change in dynamics when they are joined by a young female relative who quickly becomes an integral part of the group. With the exception of a workplace accident, nothing much really happens, but I was gripped from start to finish.
The set (design by John Dawkins and Bridget Dumbrell and manufactured by John Dawkins, Bridget Dumbrell and Josh Dawkins) was basic, but did all that it needed to do. This play is about the characters and a grand expanse of scenery would not have been appropriate. Lighting and sound (Roy Ivory, Joe Ivory and John Dawkins) was unspectacular but perfectly adequate. Costumes (Maureen Silver) were excellent with some perfect period suits for the single man in the cast. Complimentary hairstyles were perfect for the era and the props and dressings (Roger Bilverstone and Maureen Silver) top-notch. The second half unveiling of a genuine 12 inch screen TV got a round of applause all by itself and that is not something I have seen before!
The cast consisted of four females and a single male and were all pivotal to the telling of the story. The youngest of the group was Mae played by young (I am not sure how young) Charlotte Dawkins who, according to information received on the night, was making her debut on the grown-up stage. In fairness she did look a little inexperienced at times but even so Miss Dawkins delivered a credible characterisation and was pretty confident with her lines and moves. As the only man about the place, Factory Supervisor Bill, played by Rodger Bilverstone, had to give credibility to the secret relationship with Glad. Mr Bilverstone is an accomplished actor and proved it by turning in one his best performances to date. I am sure he won’t mind me observing that he looked a little old for the part, but that was only a minor distraction. His considered and well-paced delivery made every scene he took part in a memorable piece of theatre.
I have seen Nicky Dawkins in also most everything that has taken place on this stage involving the Swaffham Player in the last 3 years, but I have never seen her act to such a high standard. This performance was head and shoulders above anything she has done in front of me before and, in some pretty impressive company, she certainly managed to hold her own.
The afore mentioned exalted company consisted of Swaffham newcomer, Dawn Funnell, as live wire and aspiring beauty queen, Cyn, together with wonderful Sue Baxter as the matriarch of the group, Glad. I agonised over who should get penultimate paragraph honours but decided they should share. Mrs Funnell is a major talent and, I am told, a local drama teacher. I think her students should have been required by law to watch and learn as a very talented actress worked her socks off to bring a very high level of realism to this part. Sue Baxter has nothing to prove to me. A formidable actress whose performance in ‘Steel Magnolias’ will live with me forever. A wonderful interpreter and deliverer of characters, who managed effortlessly to show the  vulnerability and insecurity of the older woman who agonises over past and present relationships. The part of Glad is the backbone of the play and Mrs Baxter was on top form as usual.
My compliments to Director, John Hooker, for finding, visualising ad delivering such a brilliant production. The script was outstanding and the cast worked together as a team to bring it home in one piece. There were a few sticky moments script-wise, but only a few. Well done Swaffham Players . This is right up there with your best!

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