Reading Between the Lines

Yet another super set was revealed as the main tabs opened on your play last week; the lounge of the Old Rectory Cottage with a splendid view of the nearby Church, a jammed full bookcase and many homely touches.

The play is a comedic farce full of misunderstanding and chaos, requiring a good pace and quickly picked up cues. The first few minutes are spent in banter between the Professor and his wife. He is seeing his new home for the first time and his wife Rachel is absorbed in organising a Literary Festival, due to start the following day.

As Professor Andrew Stokes, Andrew Rickson was very good. He is a natural comedian and his timing, and indeed the pace throughout the play was spot on. He had the air, generally associated with an academic, of being on a different plane.

In the role of his wife Rachel, Laura Allen once again gave an impressive performance. As Rachel she had to cope with unexpected visitors who had ‘history’ and also the invited guest of honour, Lydia. She did it with style and makes all of her roles look as though they were made for her!

Florence Groves, who appeared to be all things to all people, was clearly in charge, wherever she happened to be! Whilst gleaning information about the locals she exuded affable authority and Neve Emily played her brilliantly and with excellent diction.

I don’t believe I’ve seen Judi Roberts on stage before. She looked very much the part of Lydia Bray, a famous authoress. Elegantly dressed in black and red and brimming with confidence in her own position within the literary world, she gave a good performance.

Craig Entwistle’s demeanour as an unsophisticated member of the clergy was good and the ‘seduction’ scene with Chantal was very funny.

Playing the dashing Reivers Fenn, Jim Henley ducked and dived with charm when two of his exes arrived at The Old Rectory Cottage and It was easy to see how the ladies would be taken in by him. - he was very likeable.

One of his past conquests was Nina, a no-nonsense lawyer, and Rachel Barnes was business-like and convincing in the role ----despite having been persuaded into Reiver’s bed in the past!

The plum part I felt was the one of Chantal Pittou and as the French woman, Anwen was captivating. Her accent was good and maintained throughout and she got every ounce of fun from the character – she also looked very much the part in her black and white polka dot frock.

Steve did a first-rate job on the direction – plenty of appropriate movement on stage and no lack of pace at all.

Furniture and properties were suitable for the set and era.

Costumes were good and suited the characters' personalities and lighting and sound both added to the presentation.

Your programme is colourful and interesting to read. Are you going to enter it in the programme/poster competition? If so you could bring along five on Sunday and I will make sure they are entered for next year.

The play was an excellent choice for St Hilda’s Entertainers where you have such a talented and committed group of players. Farce is not easy but you always excel at it.

Thank you for another thoroughly entertaining evening - it was good to speak to Sue and Steve in the interval and thank you for usual kind hospitality.

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