Spirit Level

Spirit Level… a played staged by Mawdesley Amateur Dramatics Society at Mawdesley Village Hall, Hurst Green, Mawdesley on Saturday 15th June, 2024

It soon became clear that this play, written by Pam Valentine, was not as normal as it first seemed! In fact, two of our leading characters Susie and Jack Cameron were not of this World and had drowned in a tragic boating accident in Italy …  but had been refused access to Heaven… why? Because Jack was a ‘card-carrying atheist’!  As a result, they returned to haunt the country cottage where they’d lived until their passing!  But life was ‘dull’… their only pleasure was ‘spooking’ the estate agent tasked with selling the property and frightening away any would be tenants who popped by!  But things change when ‘Susie’ persuades ‘Jack’ to allow a young couple… Simon, an aspiring crime writer’ and Flic his pregnant wife to move in!  Susie and Jack inevitably became drawn into the lives of their ‘almost adopted guests’.  Simon has writers block, and is being threatened by Marcia, Flic’s monstrous mother, who doesn’t like Simon and is doing her best to separate them!  Susie in an attempt to help matters calls up her ‘Guardian Angel’ who, when she arrives, is far from the angelic figure as one would have expected (sorry Hilda ahahahah). This results in Susie telling Jack to help Simon write his book using unorthodox methods, which were hilarious and which caused moments of utter confusion.  Christmas arrives, so does a snowstorm, a baby, then a moment of truth … BUT WILL IT HELP?
 

Production Team… this really was a cleverly scripted play with some well written comedy interludes and some truly poignant moments, all of which were all handled really well by Phil Quinn (Director) and Jo Jenkinson (Assistant Director). They did a great job casting this play and it was fairly obvious, from the beginning, that they had a good idea what they wanted from this play and how to achieve it.  The direction had an obvious sure touch, with both the comedy and the emotional side of the plot which they brought to
the fore admirably.  I had chance to speak with Phil after the performance and it was good to listen how they’d approached it all and the support they’d received from his cast, who looked well-rehearsed, enthusiastic and up for the task ahead.  Congrats you two great job!

The Cast …  two couples and three distinct individual characters made up our cast. One of the main requirements to make this play/these ‘situations’ work, was that the two couples, who had to obviously work ever so closely, didn’t actually ‘recognise’ or ‘be too familiar with’ with each other … which wasn’t easy I would suggest, especially when we have many ‘touchy/feely’ moments.  Also, the three individuals had to create three believable larger than life characters, one ‘not being of this world’ … but, I think I can honestly say, that all those requirements were achieved and more and that’s what made this play work so well.  So, where to begin, let’s start with ‘our leading characters’ our two couples … Debbie Wells and Chris Hill took on our ‘ghostly duo’ … ‘Susie and Jack Cameron’ respectively. Susie, a designer clad wife who likes all the airs and graces whilst Jack is a more down to earth sort of guy, a successful writer, an ‘atheist’, who’s beliefs prevent them entering those ‘Pearly Gates’ after the accident. Debbie and Chris worked together ever so well creating two totally believable characters.  Confident, assured, great characters created and not for one minute did they let those characters slip. They ‘bounced off’ each other ever so well and their continued discussions/negotiations were believable… well done you two, great jobs, be proud!  Karen Henty and Allan Roe took on the roles of ‘Flic and ‘Simon Willis’ respectively.  Flic is pregnant and Simon is a rather unsuccessful writer, they are the couple who take on the lease to the house once owned and now haunted by the Camerons.  I’m told this was Karen’s first steps into amateur theatre… congrats Karen, I’m sure this won’t be the last time we see you on stage!  Karen and Allan were two more that just ‘bounced off each other’, both creating believable characters.  Loved the continued dialogue between them both, some comedic, some really poignant, two more lovely believable characters created… be ever so proud!  Hilda McAughey was our ‘Guardian Angel’ … which she played with ‘great aplomb’!  Hilda was another who had to be very aware that she was not from this world and could only be seen by two others.  She had some great ‘one liners’ which she delivered really well … well done Hilda. Olivia Lloyd took on the role of ‘Marcia Bradshaw’… the ‘evil’ mother-in-law to Simon! Great character created… confident, assured, great stage presence, Marcia really was someone who you could just loathe…be proud Olivia. Finlay Roberston, took on the role of the less than assured Estate Agent, ‘Mark Webster’.  Mark was being ‘played’ by our ‘ghostly duo’ whilst he attempted to sell/lease the property.  Finlay did a great job with this role, lots of knowing facial expression and some great mannerisms... well done Finlay.

There were some really wonderful funny and poignant scenes… four of which I’d like to highlight …
i) The biggest laugh of the night accompanied by the most ‘oo’s and haa’s’ was reserved for ‘Marcia’, who, under a spell, loses control of all her inhibitions and just launches herself at ‘Mark’ the Estate Agent… the place erupted… very visual, very sensual, very ‘Fifty
   Shades of Grey’ in Mawdesley Village Hall .... ahahahahaha … loved it, as did everyone present!
ii) Loved the poignant scene when Susie was able to ‘spiritually communicate’ with Flic and Simon after a row and tell them to ‘forgive and forget’ … very moving, well produced/well staged scene!
iii) Another moving scene… was when Susie and Jack were reminiscing about the past… came over really well and was well-acted and produced… a very touching/moving interlude! 
iv) The final scene and that ‘Moment of truth’, that I spoke about in my opening paragraph … which centred around the birth of the baby, the complications and Jack doing what ‘no carrying atheist’ would ever admit… praying to God for help… was well directed and
     well-acted, such a powerful/poignant ending!   

Set/Staging/Tech … played in front of an authentic looking set with well-chosen furniture created by Tony McAughey. The set filled the stage and afforded the cast the access and re-dress points they needed to make this play work seamlessly. In charge of all things back stage was Julie Banks (Stage Manager). Sound was in the capable hands of Matthew Hutcheon, with the Lighting Plot/Design was expertly worked by Paul Taylor … all of which worked very well.  Props were under the control of Jane Tingle … they were apt and appropriate and enhanced the production as did the costumes.  

If the applause and laughter generated throughout and at the conclusion of this play was anything to go by, this was another successful production staged by Mawdesley Amateur Dramatics Society.  Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I… we really did enjoy ourselves and thanks to everyone that looked after us throughout the evening… appreciated, already looking forward to your pantomime!

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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