Playing Away

Imagine you are the Landlady of the “Frog and Duck” in your forties...and you find yourself pregnant. Your husband has had “the snip”. You’ve been married for twenty odd years and you have never cheated on him. How would husband react when you tell him you are pregnant?

Alan (Martin Beaman) a sincere and jealous landlord, has had several arguments with Kath, forlorn and hormonal, played by Julia Bennett, accusing her of “playing away”. He also enjoyed some delightful dialogue with her and his daughter Sarah, played by April O’Connell. All three gave authentic, sometimes gentle, likeable portrayals with suitable facial expressions and gestures. Darren Thomas’s Danny was a loveable “player”, a fool for lust, prepared to drag up to be in the women’s darts team to impress his new, posh girlfriend Tara played by Rosie Newman-Bekkelund, His appearance in women’s clothing was a priceless scene!! Velma played by Maxine Ledger had some touching dialogue as she reminisced about how her marriage had broken down due to her husband “playing away” after he found out their son was gay. Joyce played by Carol Thomas seemed to enjoy her interplay with Velma - wonderful. Andrew Robinson had the hardest character in the play, playing a gay guy in a straight world, his balance was perfect, we would never have known, well-done Andrew. Seamus, played by Peter Stevens added lightness to the play as a vest-wearing Irishman who was taught elocution by Wendy Wilson’s Gwen, the landlady’s demonstrative mother who had a resemblance to everyone’s mother in law!

Supporting roles Claire (Liz King), Simon (Ben Talbot) and Dawn (Alison Powell) all added to this hilarious comedy. A superb solid Set Design constructed by Stewart Currie, Steve and Ulli Lukas. It gave us a feeling of being at that Pub…Perfect.

This play directed brilliantly by Caroline Newman, Caroline gave us a perfectly balanced comedy both in bringing her cast to life and making us feel as if we were in that pub, along with great characterisations from all, even Michael and Billy (see I didn't forgot you). Edenbridge Players this was a terrific play to choose and you carried it off to a high standard. My guest and I certainly had something to chat about on the way home, an hilarious evening and thank you for inviting me.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.