Plays and Platinum

I was very pleased to accept my colleague, Terry Harrison's, kind invitation to cover for him at WMTG's production in Linton. I had not been to Linton for a number of years - it was wonderful to see this village, nestled between Leeds and Wetherby, in sunshine, with jubilee bunting everywhere - The Memorial Hall also reflected the jubilee mood, welcoming noisy locals once again supporting their Amateur Musical group.

The challenges have been enormous in these last 2 years of pandemic for both the Amateur and Professional theatre - I understand that many of this group's rehearsals were by internet Zoom - some members only getting to proper rehearsals in the last couple of weeks. To be able to present anything at all is an achievement and one this group were determined to overcome at all costs!

The first offering was a double bill of plays by Alan Ayckbourn. The first, 'Mother Figure', told the tale of a dedicated mum who has lost the art of conversation with adults, being confined to the house with two demanding children. Her neighbours are worried about her and attempt to help, only being treated like children themselves and end up falling out!  This was well acted by Chloe Godsell as Lucy, the Mother with Marie Clinker and Adam Stewart as the nosy neighbours, with some good comedy touches.

The second play was 'Drinking Companions' - we saw the other side of the coin, as Lucy's husband, always away on 'business', alone in a hotel bar, desperately trying to chat up Paula, a perfume salesgirl and her friend, Bernice and trying to lure them into his hotel room. It was all very Ayckbourn and perhaps a little dated by today's standards, but it was none the less amusing and again, well acted by the cast. The Director, Chris Riley and his co-director, Enid Doyle, are to be congratulated on managing to move cast, furniture and actors around on a small stage, at the same time, keeping the action moving.

Well done to you all!

The second act brought us a short cabaret, reflecting the songs from musical theatre during our Queen's 70 year reign - a splendid idea and it certainly covered a wide range - reminding us of the breadth of musicals over the years.Beginning with 'America' from 'West Side Story' the songs were made up of solos and full chorus numbers of well-known musicals we could all recognise. The cast were of many and diverse age-groups and I was so pleased to see everyone note and word perfect. This being first night, there were a few nerves and glitches, but these will have been swept away; the enjoyment of the cast and audience was palable.

Directiing all of this was in the experienced hands of Cath Hopkins, who I believe had devised the Platinum journey - ably assisted by Sarah Rivers, Choreographer, Sally Smith, Pianist and Janet Stoney as Rehesatrsal Pianist. As always the backstage crew  is as important as those on stage - these hard-working people are often forgotten but this seemed to me to be a well-run crew and you have my special thanks for that.

I hope you will forgive me giving a special mention to Nia Hopkins, who sang 'Someone Like You' from 'Jekyll and Hyde', Gavin Scott, who sang 'You'll Be Back' from 'Hamilton'' and Kath Hopkins, who sang 'He's My Boy' from 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie' - these were excellent. The Ensemble sang 'Circle of Life' from 'The Lion King' endearingly, whilst the Finale, 'Land of Hope and Glory' made us all misty-eyed and so pleased that we had, once again, been entertained 'right royally' by this charming group,

My congratulations to you all!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.