Second From Last in The Sack Race

The Marco Players take on Davids Nobbs’ novel which was adapted by Michael Birch into a play. Looking at Henry Pratt’s life in the North from birth to aged 18 when he joins the army. It is part of a Quadrilogy - this play being the first part. David Nobbs being famous for writing The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin amongst others.

The Marco Players choose the Roundhouse Bar & Function Venue. A very workable space. They chose to use the stage with stairs on both sides - the floor was also utilised. A table with red checked table cloth and various wooden chairs around the set that would be used for all-sorts. An old fashion radio and a cute parrot on the table. Two large tea chests in the corner. Various props were then brought on to help with the scenes (loved the tea cosy!). Set Build - Members of Marco players and friends. Properties Chris Brooks and Stage Manager Mike Thomas. A large screen Stage Right helped move the play along with titles of where we were at in the story and the age of Henry Pratt. Various scenes were also depicted like what a sitting room would look like at the time and various people during and after the war. One strong image was of children coming out of school with gas masks. Slides Charlotte Ashworth, Bel Carnerio, Paul Roberts and Janice Lyon. Sound played a big part in this show with a lot of sound effects of vehicles and even splashing when Henry jumps into the water to mention a few. With nostalgic songs like You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby to soundbites of Arthur Askey et al helped set it in context. Sound by Janice Lyon. Lighting was by John Lyon and David Holt and also added to the action. For the quick costume changes this worked well and helped with the characters - like the stand out pink blazer for the prep school. Wardrobe Carolyn Haslam, Marco Players’ members and friends.

Ben Latham played Henry Pratt (Between the ages of 4 and 18), Carl Bottomley played Ezra Pratt, Eric Lugg, Geoffrey Porringer, Tosser Pilkington-Brick, Plug, Mr Hargreaves and The Amazing Illingworth. Vicki Wilson Cousin Hilda, Miss Forest, Tommy and The Tadcaster Thrush. Catherine Bland played Norah, Aunty Doris, Mrs Hargreaves and Slasher. Sue Mallet played Ada Pratt, Lorna Arrow, Miss Candy, Basher, Daphne Porringer, Mable Billington and Diana Hargreaves. David Holt played A Parrot, Billy the Half-wit, Martin Hammond, Mr Quell, Club Compere, Paul Hargreaves and tram Conductor. Dan Ryan Played a Radio, Uncle Teddy, Mr Gibbins, Liam O’Reilly, Lampo Davey and Sergeant-Major.

Peter Haslam directs and it is a challenging play with no less than 37 characters being played by only seven actors and some very short scenes in which to establish a persona for the audience to be able to connect with what was going on. First of all, I loved the space and think it was well used. I did wonder if you’d thought about keeping the cast on stage all the time with maybe costume rails and we actually saw them getting into character. I say this because I felt sometimes cast went off and came back on again only to stand in the same place and lost some of the momentum of the piece. This in turn gives the actor a bigger job of trying to get the pace back. It’s a very Brechtian piece so the audience buys into they are watching a piece of theatre as it is done in so many vignettes and there is no fourth wall.  Saying that, some of the characters did come to life being funny or with pathos. Ben Latham as Henry Pratt had to play from 4 years old to 18. How this character made it to 18 I will never know. Not sporty, over-active imagination, head in his books and losing both parents, pushed around family, various schools. It’s mind boggling - watching his life from birth and negating all that was so sad to see at the end he has to start it all over again - negotiating life as a young man, the British underdog pulling through. Carl as Tosser Pilkington-Brick had moments to establish character, which he did in stance and actions so we knew exactly what his character was like. Also as The Amazing Illingworth or should I say ‘The Drunk’ Illingworth, the magician who can hardly stand up and has to be escorted off the stage - very physical and funny.

Vicki Wilson as the Tadcaster Thrush, dress tucked in knickers and despite cold we didn’t get to hear her above the ensuing action, for which she served as a great foil. I really like the characters of the headmistress Miss Forest not over played but commanding and effective. Catherine Bland’s Aunty Doris was a larger-than-life character and at every opportunity told all how wonderful her life was - but was it? Loved how she pronounced Cap Ferrat with the emphasis on the t. Her cutting off of Diana Hargreaves played by Sue Mallet was funny and Sue’s playing of Diana was great - never quite stringing a sentence together. Sue’s Miss Candy character was spot on and grew every time she appeared - how she held herself physically to the others to make it establish the character worked, especially when playing the younger people.

David Holt - well what can I say, you know you have made it when you play a swearing parrot. Billy the Half-wit worked and was not over played but in particular liked your dry interpretation of the Club Compere and the acts you had to present. Mr Quell also came across well. Dan Ryan very funny as the radio stopped mid flow and the dubious Uncle Teddy with the flat feet and fallen arches with his dubious dealings, he actually was responsible for Henry’s education and while all over place probably gives him a good grounding. The strange Liam O’Reilly worked too.

Some actors took on as many as seven characters - as well as taxing the brain learning lines it is also physically a lot, as you take on that character’s personality, some more successfully than others. I applaud you for taking on the mammoth challenge and the support you have had technically was great. As I said I love the space and look forward to see what comes next there. Thank you from my guest Matthew and I for the invite.

Liz Hume-Dawson

D5 Rep.

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