Summer Showcase - An Evening of One Act Comedy Dramas

Play 1: After Esme by Kathryn West

Three ageing disgracefully friends – Pauline, Alice and Jenny – regularly meet for coffee, lunches and chat and also to remember their friend Esme who has passed away. The settings are three different restaurants - which they always get asked to leave because of their behaviour – and a park bench where each in turn goes to discuss with Esme the problems and fears they are facing about growing old. Freda Adams was excellent as Pauline who was afraid she was losing her identity and becoming only seen as an unpaid help to her family. Her portrayal certainly struck a chord judging from the audience reactions. So too did Liz Forrest’s portrayal of Jenny as a “glamorous Granny” type in her black leather skirt and low cut blouses desperately trying to hold on to her youth but really just looking for companionship. Elizabeth Levy also gave a very good portrayal of Alice, who too was lonely, desperate to lose weight but never able to resist a piece of chocolate cake or cheese. Her “Mary Poppins” handbag from which she could produce whatever was required from a knife to cut cake, a bottle of wine or a screwdriver added much to the laughter from the full house audience. The glue holding the three ladies together was Esme, the constant spectre at the feast, quietly but strongly played by Heather Adams Officer as she dispensed comfort and advice to each of her friends at their special park bench. Strong support was given by other members of the Players as managers, waiters and customers in the various restaurants. The set was very simple with just tables, chairs and a serving counter. The change of venue was indicated by the table cloths being changed by the cast. Well done to first-time director Kirsty Williamson and everyone for delivering a hugely comic but thought provoking piece of theatre.

Play 2: Burial Plot by Elizabeth Levy

This play, written and directed by company member Elizabeth Levy, was in the form of a Victorian melodrama set in a London cemetery and complete with a varied selection of characters from an evil doctor, a tart, a licentious vicar and assorted ne’er do wells. It opens at the funeral of Professor Winterdinkle, a well known phrenologist, played by Oscar Barnett, who isn’t really dead but only drugged by his Doctor colleague and friend so that he can be exhumed and his bump of knowledge be implanted into the Doctor’s brain. The Doctor was well played by Scott McKay in top hat and scarlet lined cloak who, with his devilish laugh, you could see in your mind him twirling the ends of a moustache. He also had his eyes on marrying the Widow Winterdinkle, played by Jamie Reid, for her beauty and fortune but he had competition in this regard from Lewis Maitland’s oily Vicar. However before he could win the Widow over the Vicar was seduced by Callie Stewart’s “any thing for tuppence” Tart and died. Adding to the comedy was Bill Williamson as dim but strong Bedlamite, who was duped into helping dispose of the mounting number of bodies thinking he was looking for turnips. Whilst all this was going on Death, played by Rhys Roberson as a typical Grim Reaper complete with sickle, was sitting quietly on a tree stump reading a newspaper waiting to take the last body of the day to it’s eternal rest, but as the play came to a close found he was redundant as everyone was already dead! Strong support was given by Jade Cameron (Student), David Williamson (Cook) and Becky Williamson (Drunk). Richard Cowling at the piano provided appropriate musical accompaniment. The set was very simple with a large grave, into which several of the bodies were deposited, complete with headstone which toppled over to kill at least one of the characters. Costuming was appropriate to the era and characters. Well done to Elizabeth and her mainly young cast.

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