Tales of Little Grimley

I think that a mention is in order re the conditions both the cast and audience were coping with on the Saturday evening of the play.

It was an extremely humid hot evening and everyone just about coped in the Studio which had very little air conditioning,so well done to all there.

The trio of plays in the Little Grimley farce were enjoyable and well played.

I did find the set quite sparse of furniture,but it served the purpose of both a rehearsal/meeting room with just a table, four chairs and a hat stand all of which were re arranged depending on the scenes.

Gemma Quinn playing Young Joyce a stalwart of the Little Grimley group I found just a little too naive in this character. Her singing needed to be just a little “off key” and it was rather overdone.

Young Margaret played by Katherine Johnson (who also directed the plays) had great diction and always a firm stage presence. This part suited Katherine very well.

Greg Potter as Young Gordon in very well chosen costumes, was very accomplished in his lines and suitably director like in dealing with his three faithful members mostly having to placate them often to avoid “walk outs”after trying to put idea’s to the group from himself which were not well received.

As always Lewis Rodger gave an entertaining performance, and in the character Young Bernard (usually Little Grimley’s Stage Manager) and due to lack of people he was cajoled into appearing on stage as a member of the cast. To the point with his comments re other members of the company and not bothered about upsetting the Director this was well played. Good body language as well.

When we moved to the older versions of the company and cast it worked very well.

Older Joyce played by Linda Potter was excellent and got Joyce just right. The roller skate episode was very funny.

Richard Kemp-Luck as Older Gordon had become quite forceful in his dealing with his cast members, but had to be rather careful in what he said to Older Bernard played by Terry White who spoke his mind back unreservedly.

Terry had some great punch lines and delivered them beautifully, straight to the jugular.

Older Margaret played by Margaret Coleman was on good form coming up with a fantastic idea to ensure the continuation of the company.

Great costumes as always and attention to detail, even though an easy set for this production.

The audience enjoyed this 96th production by this well established company.

I look forward to the Pantomime and well done on the production.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.