The Bubble
Information
- Date
- 4th December 2024
- Society
- Dovercourt Theatre Group
- Venue
- Dovercourt Theatre Group Studio
- Type of Production
- Play
- Director
- Rob Porter
- Written By
- Rob Porter Society Member
I was warmly greeted on arrival at this small and intimate studio by Katherine Johnson and Linda Potter. Society member Rob Porter had written this comedy based loosely on the COVID ‘bubble ‘requirements in 2020 and featured a fractious family spending Christmas Day together. Rob also directed the play and I spoke with him both before and after the performance. Before the play started Rob delivered an introduction reminding the audience to keep face masks on and maintain at least 2 metres distance from each other! A timely reminder which set the scene for the hilarious and cleverly written plot.
The action took place in the lounge and kitchen of Sharon and Mike Thompsons’ house. The stage was skilfully divided into a small kitchen and a lounge and good use of lights helped to change the scenes. Christmas tree and lights were in situ in the lounge alongside chairs and settee. Sound levels were good and all the cast projected well. Costumes were colourful and relevant to the characters.
This was a modern play and was very well cast indeed with all the actors playing to their strengths. Without exception all the cast performed very well, enjoying the humour of the script. And there was plenty of humour throughout, sometimes a little risqué maybe ! There was lots of frantic movement keeping up with the everchanging script.
Liz McLeod, as Sharon Thompson was excellent as the harassed housewife attempting to cook Christmas lunch for eight. The strange behaviour of Jordan Brown, as her husband Mike leads her to believe he is having an affair with the neighbour. Jordan was suitably evasive and rather argumentative and regularly referred to his superior status as a college lecturer. (I loved his slippers!) Margaret Coleman as Beryl was the epitome of an elderly lady somewhat forgetful and reminiscing about the past. Margaret had some great facial expressions and wore an amazing wig ! Deonne Newson was a bright and bubbly young Ophelia determined that everyone should enjoy Christmas.
Now to the other side of the gathering, the Hardwicks. Sara Talbot-Ashby, as Karen was overbearing and bossy and bored everyone with her countless talk of wellness. Her husband Bill, well played by Richard Kemp-Luck, was a left winger, working class man who had ambitions! Jake Clover, as Samuel had a great role as a nerdy type, obsessed about germs and catching COVID and who spent his time in a full haz-mat suit complete with surgical mask. He carried a 2 metre stick all the time to be confident that the family were observing the requirement. Many comical moments here! Greg McDowell played Albert an elderly and somewhat smutty relative and Greg excelled at this part injecting so much humour and innuendo into it. His actions and facial expressions were impressive.
Without doubt this play was one of the funniest I have seen for a while and the audience loved it. The funniest parts for me were the fight behind the settee between Mike and Bill and Albert’s expressions and exaggerated movements.
Many congratulations to writer and director Rob Porter for his inspiration and casting. Well done to everyone involved in any way.
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