Roleplay

An Alan Ayckbourn play in the Trilogy”Damsels in Distress” and a perfect choice for this company.

A cast of seven with very experiened players and also a newcomer made for a strong cast with some first class acting skills.

The set was one of the best I have seen both at the Manifest and in the area.

A batchelor pad with modern furniture all beautifully co-ordinated in the lounge which led up to a kitchenette, and open plan design  through to other rooms was the one set used for the play.

Attention to detail was superb both in furnishings and fittings ,and the light bright set really invited you in even before a word was spoken.

Justin the owner of the flat played brilliantly by Paul George was exactly right for the character and a very talented actor to make his dialogue sound so real.

Alison Baker as his girlfreind Julie-Ann slotted into her rather dizzy excitable role in a very natural way and was perfect with Paul.

These two characters set the scene for what was to follow in an evening of surrprises and hilarious situations.

Whilst awaiting the arrival of Julie-Ann’s parents and Justin’s Mother and during the time it took for Julie-Ann to go out to buy a dessert fork we had the very dramatic entry of Paige played by Angie Smith.A real “off the wall” kookie character with language to match.Angie was delightfully thrown into the drama with some real epic moments scattered through both Acts.Very well played!

We were then introduced to Mikey played by Roger Atkins in his debut role with the company.A hit man who was employed by Paige’s rather obsessive boyfriend.

For the first time on stage Roger did well and I am sure that he will be recruited in the future for future roles.

I loved Arabella played by Helen Bridge.Arabella was Justin’s Mother and a rather inebriated one on arrival.Terribly glamorous with spot on timing and movement it was a pleasure to watch Helen in this role.Again a vital role in the complicated plot but such fun.

The parents of Julie-Ann were Derek and Dee Jobson played by Albert Horn and Amanda Rowe.

Amanda is so versatile, and with her experienced stagecraft gave us a character so amusing and enjoyable with an infectious laugh, which the audience loved.

Derek Jobson was the Father of Julie-Ann who he called his little “Apple” and spoke in a plain fashion albeit telling the odd joke here and there which no-one but his wife enjoyed.This part was played very seriously by Albert.

It was a first class production,the pace was good and on opening night the theatre was full.I hope that the word got around to urge people to go and see this show(that is if any seats were available) as we all had a great evening.

F.O House is always very welcoming and Congratulations to the society for winning the NODA Best Drama of 2014 in District 11, East Region with “The Real Inspector Hound” and “Tales of Orca the Goldfish”.

                                                                        

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