The Camel's Back

The Camel’s Back

Written by Arnold Helsby

Performed by Exeter Drama Company

At Longdown Village Hall on Friday 15th March 2024

Directed by Robin Thwaytes

The Camel’s Back is a three-act comedy set during 1930 in rural middle England at Hannacott’s Farm.  Farmer Hannacott, having recently passed away, has left exacting instructions in his will for his sister, Prudence, a sour-faced and even more sour hearted spinster to run the farm, a totally different business than her draper shop. Mrs Hannaford and her daughter have to accept the situation but not the disgruntled Ned Ruddle, a farm worker, who cannot bear her dictatorship and decides to think of ways to remove her.

The curtains open and the audience are greeted with a very well built and cleverly designed set of Hannaford’s Farmhouse kitchen. The kitchen door is positioned in the middle of the rear flat with a window to the garden allowing the audience to see the actors enter from the farmyard, with two other entrances on stage left, one open to the kitchen and the other curtained to the hall and staircase ( not seen but presumed ). All three allow the actors to move around the set easily and as all three acts are set in this kitchen, the play flows smoothly, yet again* ( see comments below ).

 

We meet Ned Ruddle, a superb actor with a natural understanding of comedy, portraying a bellyaching and peeved farm worker constantly complaining about Ms. Prudence Hannaford to his fellow domestic, Cicely. The actor portraying Ned held the attention of the audience throughout this production and was a delight to watch especially when he pretends to be afflicted by “Malaysian Measles”, yet another ruse to make the fascist Prudence leave the farm and when he ‘stands in’ for Mr Meacock during play rehearsals and has to play two parts. Hilarious at all times, with the audience screaming with laughter, this actor should be congratulated with this performance.  

Cicely, the kitchen domestic, a little dippy and slow to catch on was perfectly acted. With a strong rural accent this actor worked well in her scenes with Ned and Faith and gave an equally natural performance which delighted the audience.

Almost akin to a cross between Miss Trunchball and Nanny McPhee, Prudence Hannaford is the epitome of a miserable middle-aged spinster who sees no joy in running a farm and wants everyone to feel as she does. Shrewdly acted and a perfect characterisation by this actor. Perpetually grumpy and out of sorts throughout the play.

Faith Hannaford, the daughter of the family and niece of Prudence is as peeved as Ned. Her father’s will states she cannot marry before the age of twenty-five years without her aunt Prudence’s’ permission, so is as eager, along with Ned, Cicely and her beau, Robert Sladen to rid themselves of her authoritarian aunt. A natural actor, Faith is portrayed as the sensible one and has a confident strong stage presence at all times.  The blossoming romance is gently and realistically portrayed between Faith and Robert, nicely worked between them both. The actor playing Robert worked his scenes well with Ned and was the epitome of the handsome romantic lead.

Faith’s brow-beaten mother Mrs Tilda Hannaford, ‘replaced’ by her sister-in-law in charge at the farm is very warmly portrayed by this actor resigning herself to the reality and realistically showing her horror when she thinks she may be the next victim of the ‘Old Mr Grantham’ story told by Ned. These scenes were well directed to bring light and shade to the production.

Hilarity continued with the two members of the local amateur society visit the farmhouse to forcefully persuade Ned, Cicily, Tilda and even Prudence to take parts in their upcoming productions of plays. Miss Loveday with her clear diction and with strong characterisation especially when, having mistakenly consumed potatoe wine at tea, merrily came looking for more tea. As was her fellow thespian, Mrs Middleton-Jones, who enjoyed her experience so much gives Ned a ten-shilling note and says “I shall be glad to know what brand of tea it was”. I loved these two characters who added an extra dimension to the hilarity.

 The Camel’s Back has a number of underlying threads to the storyline with the main aim of ridding the farm of Prudence. Mr Meacock, another thespian who had missed rehearsals appears at the farmhouse and believes he is practicing his lines for the play with her.  Prudence, having never met Mr Meacock, is of the opinion he is a stranger genuinely proposing  to her. Shocked and appalled, this prompts her to run for the hills and leave the farm for good.  Prudence dislike of men proved the cure. This scene was brilliantly acted between these two actors and the audience lapped it up.

I congratulate, again, Lynda Anning and her team for costuming the actors so well and true to the era. Prudence in black and greys, black tights, no makeup and swept back hair, Faith in a lovely tea-dress and cardigan and with 1930’s rolled hairstyle, Bob Sladen with his brown corduroy trousers, checked jacket, shirt and tie and knitted sweater vest and Miss Loveday in wool skirt and red coat, scarf and 1930’s hat along with Mrs Middleton Jones in a red dress, hat and fur coat changing to a green hat later to co-ordinate with her costume. Clever accessories such as patent handbags and gloves, coats, aprons, jewellery, literally nothing is missed by this team.  Well done.

*The set building team are experts in producing realistic and solid sets. It is never fun to see a flat move when a door is shut during a scene which has never happened with Exeter Drama Company’s plays. The kitchen was set with a clothed table in the centre of the room, realistic fireplace with rocking chair, Grandmother clock, portrait of the late Farmer Hannaford (referred to in the script), various hung pictures, solid-looking kitchen door, square-framed kitchen window, all produced a real homely authentic farmhouse kitchen feel. Bringing the rear flat forward to create the greenery covered pathway to the farmhouse was genius and added depth and realism to the set.

Great job by Callum Dinnett on lighting and sound. The faces of the actors could be seen at all times and every word was heard. I liked the dimmed lighting behind the window showing a glimpse of foliage outside and lit correctly for the time of the day.

This production was meticulously directed by Robin Thwaytes. With a precise understanding of the script and comedy and, of course, with a talented cast of actors, The Camel’s Back was a triumph. Not a line was dropped and never a pause or concern on stage.  I could have watched it again and again. The audience obviously enjoyed it and were still praising it as they left the auditorium. Congratulations to all involved.

It is always a pleasure to watch Exeter Drama Company perform and I cannot thank the front of house enough for making me feel so welcome. 

Lyn Burgoyne

Noda Representative ( District 5 Mid and East Devon)

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.