Seeds of Doubt

This is the first time that I have seen this society and by the end of the show there were no seeds of doubt in my mind about the superb quality of the cast. They really attacked this Peter Gordon play, which is excellent both in  its writing and comedy keeping an appreciative audience well amused right up to the end with still a twist in the tail on the last line !

Helen Davison took the role of Claire with grace and power showing that she would not be a down-trodden housewife but had her own ideas on  how she wanted things doing whilst at the same time allowing her husband to go his own way with his beloved garden in order to keep him out of her hair. This was a very good interpretation of the part, showing that Helen is a talented actress.

Mark Bateman, playing Helen’s husband Alan is obsessed with his garden although to listen to his conversations he is not as successful as he would like. Nothing seems to grow except his prized lawn which seems to be nurtured and cared for whilst other things lapse. His run ins with other members of the play are either quiet and gentle or loud and verbose. As his marriage does not appear to be a rosy as he would like, here are sown the seeds of doubt through a message being delivered into the wrong hands. From this point the plot thickens and Alan is swimming against the tide for much of the play not helping himself by being caught in compromising situations on more than one occasion. However Mark has tackled this character much enthusiasm and in so doing displays a good understanding of theatre and how to play to an audience without appearing to do so.

Dave, played by Steve “Billy” Hughes is wonderful beer swilling layabout whose wife does all the housework, cooking, shopping, gardening and all other jobs associated with running a home. He is supposed to be job hunting, having been out of work for over a year. His opening entrance immediately shows the enormous differences in class and dress between himself and his neighbour. Scruffy t-shirt, shorts that should never be seen on the beach, can of ale and a blanket to lie on. He lies down on Alan’s lawn as his wife is cutting theirs. This is the norm with him and he continues throughout the play with a selfish attitude that wants everything but gives nothing. The short scenes with Sarah, a friend of Claire are sexist, explosive and totally demanding. His attitude continues in this selfish vein until his wife appears towards the end of the play stating that she has had enough and is leaving him. Steve carries his part well throughout the play and shows a great deal if understanding of what is required to create such a devious character.

Rachel Lawson as Sarah , Claire’s friend and recently separated give a polished performance showing sadness, sympathy and anger, especially when being pursued by the lecherous Dave. Her scene with Derek, the awkward, geekish character when he has fallen in love, is a good tear jerker as the sympathy of the audience lies with him as he becomes tongue tied and cannot express his true feelings which are eventually rejected. This scene was well constructed and Rachel showed how to play a sympathetic role.

Dave’s long suffering wife, Jill (Carol Hawxwell) was a picture of the lady who undoubtedly still loved her lazy and indolent husband, even attempting to get him to acquire a new job. Only when she discovered the he was putting the application forms into Alan’s compost bin did the realisation dawn that he preferred to live the life of Riley did she snap and decide to leave him. This was a very controlled performance, not showing too much emotion but facing the facts of life with a cheery smile and great fortitude.

Ray Rumkee as Derek the introverted geek actually, in my opinion stole the show. This bumbling, unsure character came across extremely well and aroused the audience’s sympathy as well as making everyone laugh at his inept bungling, yet he did arouse. Very emotional feelings from the audience as his hopes for a liaison with Sarah came to nothing. Super characterisation and showing empathy with the role.

Keith Davison, the Director had every reason to be proud of his achievements with this production. There was an obvious attention to detail in the characters and the whole show was a complete delight.   

The set, showing the backdoor of the house leading onto the garden with the accompanying shed and fence with gate giving access to next door was very good, well constructed and easy to work for the cast.

This was an excellent night’s entertainment

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