Say Something Happened and Cocktail Sticks

Two one act plays, both written by Alan Bennett were performed, both directed by Mike Fahie-Wilson and, with one exception, different casts.

The well constructed set was ideal for both plays, using a basic background with good entrances/exits and change between the plays achieved by the use of different chairs, tables and props including the Dimplex heater. There was some lovely gentle background music complimenting both plays and lighting was appropriate. Costumes (Sara Knight) were all very typical of 1980s fashions as indeed was the makeup and hairstyles.

Both plays were based in Leeds and all the actors had been coached in the appropriate dialect and maintained this extremely well throughout.

SAY SOMETHING HAPPENED

This play was exceedingly good, consisting of three accomplished actors playing an elderly Northern couple and a new social worker. Sara Knight, as Mam, was magnificent, being disdainful and disparaging at times and certainly not wanting to embrace new ways and thinking. Her mannerisms and facial expressions told all ! She had a stubborn and no nonsense approach and made it clear that she did not consider herself, or Dad to be “at risk“ just because they were elderly.

Andy Smith, as Dad, was blunt and to the point whilst humouring his wife and trying to be friendly and tolerant to the social worker. Cherry Locke, a late comer to the role, was the hapless social worker June Potter whose patience was stretched to the limit in her attempts to complete a questionnaire about the elderly couple and their likely needs and her facial expressions reflected her mounting exasperation.

There was plenty of humour and comedy inherent in this play and the audience loved it. Well done!

COCKTAIL STICKS

Almost an autobiographical monologue by Tom Eddington playing Alan Bennett. What a great performance by Tom who looked, sounded and behaved exactly as Alan Bennett may have done. He was on stage practically the entire time and impressed with his interpretation and characterisation. Mam and Dad, played by Annie Eddington and Stuart Williams were a typical working class couple, taking the audience through the different stages of their and Alan’s lives culminating in Mam’s dementia. This couple were well paired and performed very well with a great deal of Northern humour and comedy injected.

There were a number of small parts all essential to both the storyline and the circumstances, eg vicar, cinema manager, Myrtle and Fred Harty, the neighbours, all played with great skill and comedy.

Director Mike Fahie-Wilson certainly brought out the many talents of this cast and this was a most accomplished production.

Many congratulations to everyone involved in any way in these humorous and true to life plays. The audience enjoyed the evening as did I.

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.