The Actress

Review of "The Actress" Play by Marlowe Players:

This production was well-prepared, the costumes were excellent, authentic to the period with an impressive set that reflected the era of the piece. The use of the stage was very effective, incorporating a composite set with well-executed lighting that added depth to the performance. Everyone was clearly visible, and the sound design ensured that every actor could be heard, enhancing the overall experience.

Jayne Brookes-Clayton gave a stellar performance in the leading role of ‘Lydia Martin, the Actress’. She provided a continuity throughout which moved the production forwards.

Special mention must be made to the role of ‘Katherine, her Dresser’ played by Joanne Greene who not only assisted with the costume changes on stage during the performance, but also skilfully put the actresses wig on during one scene, her portrayal was outstanding.

The plot centres around ‘The Actress’ as she encounters various individuals before ultimately deciding to retire from performing. A standout performance came from Ed Watkins, who portrayed Charles, her elderly fiancé. His energetic and comedic acting provided many laughs, with one particularly memorable moment occurred when Charles pretended to be out of breath while going up and down the stairs. His performance was so realistic that several audience members were genuinely concerned for his well-being, adding an unexpected layer of tension to the humour.

Andrea White, in the role of Harriet, ‘The Actress’s Agent’, gave a strong and captivating performance. Nikola Smith, playing ‘Nicole, her daughter’, added stability and charm to the story and Mike Green, as ‘Paul, Nicole’s Father and the Actress’s ex-husband’, was also well-cast and contributed to the overall success of the performance.

Margaret, ‘The Company Manager’ played by Karen Gregson, had a couple of funny moments that lightened the mood and added to the flow of the play.

Supporting actors Chris Davies and Andrew Barlow, who portrayed ‘Lopakhin and Gayev’ in the ‘Cherry Orchard’ scenes, also made an impact with their strong performances and excellent Russian accents, adding to the production.

The audience clearly enjoyed the show, with the theatre nearly full. The Marlowe Players made us feel very welcome upon arrival, and the stage crew, led by stage manager Martin Weston, did an excellent job, ensuring smooth scene transitions and flawless technical execution. Props, managed by Jenny Cooper, and costumes, designed by Sue Orme, were both expertly done and contributed to the overall atmosphere of the play.

The set design and direction by David Jones were exceptional, truly bringing the play to life in a professional, humorous and engaging manner.

Overall, it was a fantastic performance and I’m looking forward to seeing The Marlowe Players’ next production, ‘The Diamond Necklace’.

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