Sheila's Island

Shelia’s Island a play presented by Rainhill Garrick Society at Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Rainhill on Thursday 15th February, 2024.

Penned by the very talented Tim Firth (Also Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots, Our House, Flint Street Nativity and many more), this comedy, from the thick fog, is genuinely funny at times but with its dark comedy ending is enticingly thought-provoking!  What is interesting about this play is that it was adapted from Firth’s first major theatre commission, Nevilles Island that put four middle aged male managers in the spotlight.  Shelia’s Island is set on Bonfire Night 2019…. Shelia, Denise, Julie, and Fay are Team C in Pennine Mineral Water Ltd’s annual outward-bound team - building weekend. Somehow, Sheila has been nominated team leader, and, using her cryptic crossword solving skills, has unwittingly misinterpreted the first set of clues which has left them stranded on an island in the Lake District. Our intrepid heroines find themselves manufacturing weapons from bra’s, cable ties, and spatulas, they create a rescue flag made from plastic plates and a toasting fork. Questions are asked; truths are told; dirty washing is aired. Is it possible to build an adequate night shelter with a prom dress?  What is Julie’s husband really up to in Aldi? And why are they on this bloody team building exercise when they could be at a spa?

The Production Team… Tracey Duffy (Director) was the one chosen to guide us through this ‘thick fog’ and it was great to have the opportunity to speak briefly with her before the start!  What became obvious from the start, was that Tracey had pulled together an enthusiastic, well-rounded cast who knew exactly what Tracey wanted from them, to make this play work.  For me, the success of any small casted play is almost always reliant on the ability of that cast to work together as a team and this was achieved with ease… so with all the boxes ticked, we sat back and waited for the ‘fog’ to disperse!  PS… just loved the direction for the opening scene… with all four characters literally ‘crawling’ onto    the stage individually, having obviously swam to the island... it was hilarious and a great way to open the play …

The Cast … as most will know by now, this is where I usually ‘stick my neck out’ and start selecting favourites, but once again, I find myself believing, that ‘the whole’ was the reason for the success of this play not an ‘individual’… team work, working together leadership from the top… so where to start!  Let’s start with our intrepid leader ‘Shelia’ played by Rosetta Parker, the ‘cryptic crossword puzzler’, who despite everything, attempts to stay positive and keep the group togetherness. Rosetta was the perfect fit for this role, which I suppose could be described as the ‘straight role’… looked the part, good stage presence, good character created, looked totally comfortable throughout… be proud!  If I was to have a ‘favourite’ I think I would have ‘plumped’ for Sophie Brogan’s portrayal of ‘Julie’ … the ‘ultra organised’ ‘prepared for anything’ who was probably responsible for the survival of the group… her ‘rucksack’ was like Mary Poppins bag, but who’s home life seemed the ‘polar opposite’! Sophie was another perfectly cast for this role, assured, confident, great stage presence, just loved the character created… be super proud Sophie!  Jo Webster took on the role of ‘Denise’… the sarcastic, outspoken, unpleasant, says what she thinks girl, who’s was constantly cracking jokes at other people’s expense…  great characterisation, loved the way the character became larger/nastier as the show progressed … another with stage presence aplenty… thought the characterisation was ‘pitched’ just right … good job, be proud!  Finally, possibly the ‘polar opposite’ of ‘Denise’ who would have run Sophie close for favourite if I’d had a favourite… Lynn Aconley and her take on ‘Fay’… the slightly vulnerable, slightly unbalanced born-again Christian, who loves nothing better than a spot of ‘birdwatching’ … her sighting of a ‘gyrfalcon’ had her in ecstasy!  Fay brought us the emotional side of this story; she’s dealing with a lot, personal loss and bereavement, she’s such an easy and obvious target for ‘Julie’.  Lynn gave this character life, great stage presence, great characterisation, showed us the vulnerable side of the character really well… her entrance toward the end, you’ll need to see it to understand, with the ‘wings’ was hilarious, yet it could have meant so many different things… great job Lynn, be ever so proud!

Staging/Tech… as always, every inch of stage space had been used with a set that afforded the actors everything they needed to ‘do their thing’.  It was a simple yet effective set design which created just the right effect of a ‘deserted island’. Graham Swift (Stage Manager/Lighting), Richard Parker (Set Design/Builder) and no doubt others, should be congratulated once again on their efforts, which enhanced this production ever so much!

Sound was under the watchful eyes of John Duffy … Rainhill Village Hall isn’t the easiest of locations to achieve good sound… so congrats to John… sounded good to me sir! 

Wardrobe … costumes were apt and enhanced the show.

Props … were under the watchful eye of Gerald Walker and Edi Tinsley… again worked very well and added to the overall production.

Thank you once again for inviting my wife and I… another great play, with a great cast, which we really did enjoy and already look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep
 

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