The Birds, The Bees, and Therapy

Under the creative and manipulative talents of Jackie Overton we were treated to a fast and furious farce which finally degenerated into a planned mayhem full of laughs. Tiverton Drama Group certainly delivered the script to cheer and to beat the autumnal chill.
 Firstly must comment on the excellent split set designed by Kirk Wills, it worked so well and was well-dressed to create the two venues in the correct mood.
 A large cast play (12) offering an opportunity for many in the group, and what a contrast to the spring production: how versatile are the members of CSODS.
 As Steve Kingseller, Martin Rodwell had a huge amount to learn and do in the two situations of home and work as he rushed between the venues with great timing and input, certainly a role of importance in being ‘the glue’ and the ‘fall-guy’ in each relationship as the farce unfolded. On the personal front, he had to contend with and stave off the irrepressible so-called fiancée and OTT personality Samantha from Andrea Wilson (how lovely to see her return to CSODS this year) in an overwhelming performance just perfectly timed for comedy, a delight to watch. Also he coped with the advances of next door neighbour Roberta from Madeline Hudson with her designs on his person plus the added complications of the visit from Dad (Richard Delahaye) as the ‘visitor from hell’ with the full farce situations of family, and wanting the best for his son, and the terrible bathroom habits: good personnel interactions within these characters bringing out the best; these sequences alone would have been sufficient to create all the laughs and mayhem.
But off to the work venue for the ‘therapy’ and the partnership with Kate played with amazing confidence on being thrown in as a very late replacement cast by Chrissie Robertson. They try their best to resolve the marriage problems and quarrels of the Taylors (Andrew Payne and Hazel Taylor), especially over the sexy taxi driver Ben from Glen Hall. An extravert, funny, and again OTT, a drunken realisation from Robin Taylor as Tom Pepper as he antagonises the other clients and generally disturbs all around with his behaviour and actions, presumably the torn suit has to be repaired nightly? Joanna Ryan as Holly really makes us empathise with her character and insecurity, and we smile, well done. As Gregory, Grahame Woodrow very convincing in the anger-struck role and against all with violence, but with the comedy touches in the relationships. All these characters were well cast and fulfilled the full potential in bringing out the interactions and comedy into another set of laughter situations. And the final line-up completed by Kerry Davis as Emma, of whom we had heard at different times, and who was the antidote and some explanation to some of the mayhem.
A really good laugh throughout, you must have had great fun in rehearsal, and not certain how Jackie managed to control the cast to keep to the plot!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.