Sheila’s Island

The brilliant Tim Firth who is also famed for Kinky Boots and Calendar Girls wrote this comedy piece, Sheila’s Island. The quartet of business women were on a Team Building Exercise in the Lake District, when hey ho!!, their boat ran aground on Derwentwater in November. The four cast members held our attention for 2 hours with their exploits, laughs and fears.

All the four characters in the play were experienced players, with Sofia Mavrou as Team Leader Sheila, trying to justify her position when realising her team had no chance of winning this prestigious competition, due to her incompetence. Trying to calm everyone down, answering the Team’s questions and what to do next, was a huge challenge to Sheila, but Sofia coped well with each situation.  Sharon Huxley gave us an excellent portrayal of the disgruntled and cantankerous Denise, who was very argumentative with each of the team. She had an answer for everything, sometimes in very colourful language. I think at times she scared the other members of the team with her characterisation. Beryl Jolley was perfectly cast as Julie, who brought out many of the comical remarks. Her backpack was just overflowing with everything ‘just in case’, in other words she brought the ‘kitchen sink’ with her.  So funny when she brought out the sausage she had saved from breakfast, to cut into four pieces. One doesn’t know what goes on in people’s mind and the fourth member of the Team, Fay, played by Lisa Wingate appeared to be a fragile character having struggled with one or two health issues in her life. Being the focus of Julie’s jibes about being a Christian and her birdwatching, Lisa gave a confident performance dealing with a rash of emotions during the piece.

The script was pacey with no pauses, and Stage Manager and all Crew must be congratulated with the appropriate set and props, together with swift scene changes. This gave the piece a wintry feel, the autumnal leaves and debris scattered around the stage and not forgetting the occasional bits of litter left behind by tourists, which had blown on the island. The grey sky with the watery sun all added to a comfortable and believable situation. 

I understand that this was Ben Huxley’s first time he had Directed for Colwyn Abbey Players even though he has been a member of the Group for a few years. Iam sure his late father, David, himself an accomplished director and performer, would have been so proud of Ben’s achievements, also directing his mother in the role of Denise. 

Congratulations to all concerned in delivering a difficult play well directed, rehearsed and delivered. Thank you also for your invitations over the years and may Colwyn Abbey Players for from strength to strength.

 

This is the opinion of the Reviewer

 

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