Talking Heads

The Marco Players are pulling out all the stops finding different venues since they were made homeless. This has not stopped them: a room above a pub done cabaret style - an intimate setting is just the ticket for these three monologues by Alan Bennett

With small stage a table, bed, chairs, coat stand and unit that doubles as a lighted dressing mirror and hotel wall. The set is utilised for minimum wait as it was changed to create a sitting-, bed- and dressing room plus hotel lobby.  Props were kept to a minimum and what was used fitted the character with fussy tea set for Miss Ruddock, cup and magazine for Graham and make-up brushes and shawl for Lesley.  Set - Ashley Foster and Team. Lighting and Sound all fitted in the intimate space. Sound and Lighting by Chloe Spencer. The costumes were all befitting the characters – Wardrobe, Marco Members.

Peter Haslam directs the play and talks about the minimalism of performing the monologue in his notes. The actors are at the forefront of the piece talking to you in an intimate setting - as the audience you miss nothing. They are up front and Centre Stage, which works.

The first monologue is A Lady of Letters and the music Please Mr Postman cues Irene Ruddock played by Christine Morton. Irene is a formidable woman who pokes her nose into everyone’s business and likes a reply to the many letters she pens (and I mean many), but woe betide if you do reply! Christine delivers many a stinging response or comments, including to the vicar - no one is safe. Christine was very good at the stern looks and disapproving glances. While we are laughing at her caustic and often inappropriate remarks, we do see the vulnerable woman emerge and this is so clear when she delights in the camaraderie in prison of all places. We see another side of her and softer with Christine lightening the character and revelling in being with other women. She has found her niche.

The second monologue is Her Big Chance with Lesley played by Laura Duffy. The actress whom one thinks is actually only an extra looking for her moment. You get the feel she will spend a fortune on acting classes only to then get one line. As we all know from the #MeToo movement, Intimacy Co-ordinators are now in place. Young girls wanting to chase their dreams are fair game in Lesley’s day and she has this air of believing in everyone and maybe that’s her armour that gets her through. It’s actually deeply disturbing to watch and you want to shout ‘wake up!’ tell them to get lost, Lesley! Alan Bennett chooses for Lesley to never mention her family or friends and that immediately isolates her. Laura has little flits across her face questioning what had happened but then forgetting and moving on with another story, which usually has her coming off worse – this really worked. You felt sorry and annoyed with her all at the same time: you know it’s going to happen again and again.

Third was A Chip In the Sugar which sees Graham Whittaker played by Ben Latham battle real and imaginary demons. It is hinted why his breakdown happened – but we are still not sure. Alan Bennett played this part himself and on Ben opening his mouth he definitely had his intonation. Life is going okay until his mum gets a boyfriend Frank, the way he talks about his mum it is as if two people are on stage. The repeated mention of ‘take a tablet Graham’ reminds us he is a fragile being. The status quo is disrupted for the everyday order he knows and this starts his unravelling. However, his paranoia is justified: he really is being watched. We get hints from Ben about the day centre he visits and the people there. Despite being stuck in his ways he is actually a liberal and dislikes Frank’s racisms and other right-wing views. Ben unravels and pulls himself back together in front of us with Frank being found out for what he is. The status quo is restored - until the next time. Ben did take a few prompts but wow!  it’s a heck of a monologue and he had the character down to a tee. Well done.

 

Thank you to The Marco Players for my invite and hospitality from my guest Angela and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District Rep 5

 

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