The Camel's Back

All we needed was a burst of ‘The Archers’ theme tune to put us in the mood for this rumbustious rustic for anything that might happen in the living room of the Hannacott Farm House. Bossy Prudence had arrived after the death of her brother to take over the running of the farm, even though she knew nothing about farming. How to make her leave? That was the question.

The plots of ‘Ned’ assisted by Faith Hannacott (Ashlie Gorton) and her boyfriend Bob (Jasper Holliday) to try and drive the bossy ‘Prudence’ from the farmhouse, end in failure but ‘the last straw’ came from Martin Pickering in a short but very good performance as Samuel Meacock.

The key character, the farm labourer Ned Ruddle was played splendidly by Nick Noakes and ably assisted by the domestic, Cicely, played by Estelle Homerstone. The other key character was that of overbearing Prudence Hannacott, played well  by Yvonne Hegarty. The timid, brow beaten Tilda Hannacott, mother of Faith, was nicely portrayed by Carol Arman-Addey. Judy Burrows’ fluttery spinster-schoolmarm, Miss Loveday, was a dithery delight, gesture and facial mobility aided a characterisation which had depth. Supported ably by Wendy Stuckey playing the colonel’s wife, Mrs Middleton-Jones, who maintained a supercilious smile throughout.

The company gave a highly creditable performance. Lindsey can be justly pleased with her debut as a director. Well done. 

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