Silver Lining

A packed auditorium awaited our players. Playwright Sandy Toksvig had attracted a mainly female audience, who I’m sure were looking forward to a smart, funny – female orientated – afternoon’s entertainment. They would not be disappointed. Each actor had adopted mannerism and characters that fitted like gloves. They were well defined, with appropriate physicality of their characters throughout the play.

Jill Hawkins played June Partridge, an almost regimental, a ‘good egg’ – reliable, particular, and ostensibly in control. An excellent portrayal that gradually eroded through the journey of the play to becoming as emotionally vulnerable as her fellow residents and sister, May.

Sarah-Jane Clark gave us an excellent May Trickett. Totally at home on stage in what looked like a very special wheel chair, confident and never out of character. We had Sue Bailey’s Gloria Bernhardt, the ex-pub landlady, feisty and sharp witted. Again, fitting the part like a glove. Debbie Lawther playing ‘St Michael’, and Maureen Cookson – played by dreamy Jo Andrews completing the ‘gang of five’ abandoned residents, and excellent actresses. Left in charge of this colourful handful was Hope Daley played by Vicky O’Hanlon, an ill informed and pretty desperate temporary ‘carer‘, who grew to like her ‘ancient charges'. You established your ground and looked at home. And last but not least – Nik Waller – the only male in the show. A miscreant, burglar, opportunist… who saw the light and helped rescue these women abandoned to the rising floods! 

I loved the construction of a ‘raft’ like structure in full view – clearly that would ensure the survival of this abandoned cohort!! 

Director - Kim Robichaud and Stage Manager Tracie Waller had clearly planned the manoeuvring of the players and building the raft to exacting standards. The loud and lengthy applause indicated that we, the audience had clearly enjoyed an afternoon of excellent entertainment.

Hopefully, Kim Robichaud, her cast and production team were very pleased with the way their hard work was received. Thank you.

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