The Day they Kidnapped the Pope

The Day they Kidnapped the Pope a comedy play staged by Rainhill Garrick Society at Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Rainhill on Thursday, 13th October 2022.

This two-act comedy play was written by João Bethencourt a Hungarian born writer and actor.  At the end of a triumphant tour of New York, Pope Albert is kidnapped by Sam, a Brooklyn taxi driver. Sam arrives home with his hostage, and we witness each member of the family’s surprised reaction to their guest, who strangely seems quite unperturbed by the events.  Sam has demanded a ransom…for twenty-four hours, there will be no killing in the World – the Pope’s kidnapping becomes an international concern.  

This is the second production that I’ve been invited to see during Rainhill Garrick Societies 80th Anniversary celebrations (1942-2022).  Once again, I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of NODA and myself in wishing them continued success and I hope that all their, ‘yet to come’, planned events go well and their celebrations are all that they expected!

Well, I think I’d be right in suggesting that I wasn’t the only person in Rainhill Village Hall that evening that, prior to this play being advertised and me getting my invitation to attend, had ever heard of, let alone seen this play before!  So, with Rainhill Village Hall almost full, I sat back and just waited for those curtains to open and for things to unfold… I/we were not to be disappointed!

Production Team … Rosetta Parker (Director) was the lady tasked to bring this comedy play to stage. She’d gathered together a strong cast, who were well rehearsed and as soon as those curtains parted, were ready and able to create those ‘believable, larger than life characters’ that this play demands.  It was obvious from the beginning that she knew exactly what she wanted and how best to achieve it!  The results; a hilariously funny yet heart-warming play with a very poignant message running throughout.  Congratulation Rosetta be ever so proud, great job!

The Cast… as I said above, this was a strong cast who worked extremely well together and who created some wonderful individual characters.  There are occasions, this probably being another example, when saying that someone is better than someone else appears a little harsh, because everyone on that stage that evening gave of their best… but, having said that, I do feel it would be remiss of me not to ‘stick my neck out just a little’ and highlight MY four favourite characters… ask anyone else present that evening and I’m sure they’d suggest others… but this is ME and these are MY favourites…‘Show Stealer’ for me was Michael Brennan and his ‘larger than life’ portrayal of Cardinal O’Hara.   Cardinal O’Hara only appears in Act 2., but what a ‘stir he causes’ when he arrived!  ‘Larger than life’ without doubt… when ‘Cardinal O’Hara’ speaks everyone listens … ‘including the Pope’!  Wonderful stage presence, great accent, loved the characterisation… be ever so proud Michael, great job!  George Lowe played the part of ‘Samuel Leibowitz’ our ‘kidnapping taxi driver’. George looked totally comfortable in this role and provided us with a solid performance.  Good stage presence, believable, a perfect fit for this role, be proud sir!  It's not very often you get the chance to play a ‘Pontiff’ but … Rick Young took on the role of ‘Pope Albert’ and provided us with a well-judged performance. Looked totally comfortable throughout, loved the vegetable peeling ‘kitchen scene’ and his vocal interactions with Cardinal O’Hara… well done Rick great job!  My final selection, and I’m possibly ‘cheating slightly’ here, but you get two for the price of one here… ‘TV Announcers’ were played ever so well by Angela Vose and Tom Nevitt. Both created great individual characters who complimented each other so well. Great diction, which was essential for these roles, people needed to hear and understand the ‘updates’ from around the world’ for the humour to work and work it did! Be ever so proud you two, great job!  

The remaining members of the cast included Tracey Duffy took on the role of ‘Sara Leibowitz’ wife of Taxi Driver ‘Sam’; Lucy Whitfield and Sophie Brogan who played ‘Miriam Leibowitz’ and ‘Esther Leibowitz’ respectively… the daughters of Sam and Sara.  All four of the ‘Leibowitz’ worked ever so well together, each creating their own believable character.  Well done ladies, great job.  David Parker played ‘Rabbi Meyer’ and Gerald Walker took on the role of ‘The Sheriff’. The ‘principals’ were well supported by an ‘enthusiastic ensemble’ that included Tim Evans, Alison Mawdesley, Edi Tinsley, Jo Webster and Rob Williams… well done folk!

Staging/Tech … Rainhill Garrick are obviously blessed with many talented people who not only helped create and build the wonderful Brooklyn Apartment backdrop that we saw that evening, but who also worked tirelessly behind the scenes ensuring that everything within the show worked and worked well which then allowed the actors work to their best… these include Graham Swift (Stage Manager and Lighting Designer), Ian Schofield on Sound, and Richard Parker on Set Design… from the photographs on Social Media…you can see that there are many others involved in this part of the production (painting and construction) well done to each and all …great set, that worked ever so well and created the perfect platform for the actors to work with!

Before moving on from the technical side of things… can I please mention the ‘recorded music’ used throughout this production which was apt and inspiring and enhanced the production so much … we opened with Barry McGuires ‘Eve of Destruction’, followed by ‘What the World Needs Now’ by Dionne Warwick, and then John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ and ‘All we are saying is give peace a Chance’… powerful messages through lyrics!

Costumes and Props… ‘costumes’ were apt as were the ‘props’, which were under the watchful eye of Edi Tinsley and Alison Mawdesley… well done you two!

I can hear you all asking, did Sam’s plan work… did World Leaders vote for ‘Peace Day’… well, you’ll have to find another production and find out for yourself… you won’t be disappointed for sure… this is truly a heartfelt play with plenty to say about humanity and life…

Well done, guys and thank you so much for inviting my wife and I to your production which we enjoyed so much; let’s hope we can arrange convenient time and date when we can meet…

Stay safe and keep well…

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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