Special Measures

This original play was written and directed by Cirencester resident Katy Sorensen; the inspiration taken from her experiences working in a few rural pubs in The Lake District. The Three Sheet Inn has been put into Special Measures by the brewery due to reduced profits. We meet barmaids Rita and Rose coping with Deborah the executive from the Brewery throwing the future of the pub into question and a wide range of local regulars and pub staff not making things any easier.

The simple but practical set was a traditional interior of an old pub, the bar central to the action, with two tables and chairs to the sides and a well-used hat stand. The entrance and exits via two freestanding door frames, one to the outside and one to the kitchen and upstairs.

Overall, the cast performed their characters to great effect, with lots of good characterisation, the diction clear with some great physical comedy. The Northern accents were mostly well sustained. They all worked well together, though at times we did lose a bit of pace in the dialogue. Patsy Birch definitely raised some great audience responses for her funny portrayal. The sound was clear on the whole from where I sat, the sound effects appropriate and well cued. Costumes were suitable for the time and characters. The additional original music written especially for the production enhanced the changeover of acts, the interval did come as a surprise to the audience being so early on in the evening, and I wonder if maybe having it between Act 2 and 3 may have worked better, with the first 2 acts all leading up to the re-opening launch party, and resolutions of the story in Act 3

Congratulations again to everyone involved with this production. It was great to see an original play being so well attended and enjoyed so much by an enthusiastic audience.

These comments solely reflect the view of the Representative and can only relate to the performance seen.

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