Spirit Level

This was a polished production of a comedic play, a clever and an amusing evening’s entertainment. Insightful director, Dawn Vigurs, had cast a tight knit ensemble that worked very well together and were clearly well rehearsed. The play offered numerous moments of genuine humour as it delved into the relationships of its main characters, examining themes of love and the supernatural, and featuring excellent performances from a talented, seven strong cast.

Even before the play began I was impressed by the set, withcredit to many involved in the set build crew for creating a very effective country cottage setting for the play. All the action took place in the living room, which featured a Welshdresser; a cottage suite with a matching rug; three wall lights; a bookcase; a desk; French doors; and an archway constructedthat led to an adjoining room, as well as French doors overlooking the garden. And, around the room, twenty-threedecorative plates completed the homely setting addingthoughtful detail, for this situation comedy.

The plot centred around the ghosts of crime writer, Jack Cameron and his wife Susie, who tragically had both died in a boating accident while on holiday in Italy. Unfortunately, as Jack was an atheist, he was turned away from the Pearly Gates. Susie subsequently made the decision to stay with him,and so they returned to haunt their country cottage where they had previously lived. As time goes on, seemingly stuck in limbo, they find their days somewhat boring and the only fun they have is to prank estate agent, Mark Webster by moving pictures and ornaments, and frighten away any prospective tenants. However, when a young couple, Simon and Felicity Willis, view the cottage, they have a change of heart abouthaving tenants to stay. Simon is an aspiring writer and when he notices a set of novels by his favourite author, Jack, he is flattered. Susie takes a liking to Felicity, who is pregnant, so,they need to find somewhere to live. Susie and Jack decide to let them move into their cottage. Jack and Susie become protective of both Simon and Felicity as they observe their lives and when Felicity’s mother, a formidable, battle axe of a mother, Marcia Bradshaw, visits, Susie calls on her guardian angel for help. She tells Jack and Susie the book that Simon is writing must be a success or unfortunate things will happen. To help stop this she shows Jack and Susie a technique to use on how to control the minds of those Susie might lay herhands on. At the end of the play, we see atheist Jack wrestlingwith his inner self to pray that Felicity’s newborn baby could start to breathe, and the baby’s first cries are heard to everyone’s relief. The scene that follows concludes the play with Jack and Susie moving on to gain entrance to the Pearly gates and leaving their cottage.

The two couples acting on stage complimented each otherwith individual roles brilliantly characterised. Poltergeist spirits, Jack Cameron (Dominic Holmes) and Susie Cameron (Christina Peak) gave strong, convincing performances. BothDominic and Susie made the very most of their parts and generated many of the laughs through mischievous behaviour,including some of the funniest moments when Dominic with superb comedic timing, spooked estate agent, Mark Webster(Alan Lowe) by moving ornaments and floating the fairy from the top of the tree at him, hilarious! Christina was very animated, confident and expressive on stage. Zoe Wall played Felicity Willis, and Dave Mills portrayed Simon Willis. Both actors performed their roles with natural delivery and depicted a young couple striving for success. Where Simon and Felicity couldn’t hear or see Jack and Susie, but the ghosts could see and hear them, their acting skills to make all the scenes both realistic and very entertaining were strong. Alan Lowe, playing estate agent Mark Webster, was hilarious tormented by Jack and Susie’s pranks. His facial expressions were priceless as he became visibly mesmerised, preoccupiedand distracted by moving objects, including a floating Christmas decoration. His expressions well timed; his head cocked to the side like a puzzled puppy as he sank into a chair pondering an inexplicable sight before him. Claire Parker wasfabulous in her believable portrayal of the very self-assured and cold hearted, opinionated Marcia Bradshaw, Felicity’s mother. Jack and Susie convinced her by laying hands on her as instructed by the guardian Angel, that she liked Mark the estate agent, leading to laughter when she unexpectedly straddled him in front of the audience. Amanda Glover addeda lovely light touch to the proceedings in the likeablecharacter part she took as the quirky Guardian Angel, dressed in tweeds and clutching her mobile phone.

This was a wonderful evening’s entertainment with some splendid individual performances. This was a play that wasfunny, but it also presented some poignant moments. Congratulations to Dawn, the cast and all the crew on your success and thank you for all your hard work. Thanks for inviting me. 

Ann Escritt, Regional Representative district 07

It had been some time since I last visited Fellowship Players, so I was delighted to be invited to Spirit Level. I attended the same performance as Ann, the Regional Representative, and I fully agree with the show report in every respect.

I was particularly pleased to see the creative use of materials, such as Perspex in the French window—an excellent touch for the set design.With plays like this, it’s crucial that the ‘living’ characters do not look at Jack and Susie while speaking, as they are meant to be invisible and inaudible. This was handled very well. Similarly, the movement around the lounge was fluid and natural, never disrupted to accommodate the invisible characters—again, very well managed. The scripted collision was effectively staged, and the handling of props—such as moving pictures and the business with the key—was well coordinated. The scene with the Christmas tree fairy was hilarious and one of many highlights of the show.

The acting was strong throughout, with no weak links and no dip in pace at any point.

My congratulations on an excellent production—I look forward to seeing you again in the future.

Andy Brown, Regional Councillor, NODA West Midlands.

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