The Final Test

At point of entry to this venue I had a warm welcome from the front of house, and I was escorted to my seat. On stage I observed the set design, which was partitioned, with a back garden, (where most of the action took place) and, the kitchen, which had a door with opened out onto the garden which was used often. With the available space on stage for acting being limited, the provision of the perfect visual backdrop was given a lot of consideration and added a great deal to ensure this was thoroughly creditable setting. It all contributed to presenting an enjoyable performance of this play directed by Joe Dudley. The characters were suitably cast and well-rehearsed, with interactions between them maintaining pace and continuity.

Essentially this was a story which had glimpses of humour but also had some serious moments about caring and about relationships. The action of the play concerned the character of Peter (Graeme Lockley), whose passion for listening to the radio commentary of the summer season of cricket at The Oval in his garden, ensured he was so detached and selfish he hadn’t noticed that his wife had sold the house. His wife, Ruth, (Karen Evans), had been exasperated by his dedication to cricket to the point that she had sold the house from under him, and told him she was off to live in Bexhill on Sea with her lover. Peter didn’t allow even the inconvenience of a removal man (Owen Watton) leaving him with no furniture, to trouble him unduly as he continued to sit happily unperturbed in the garden listening to his radio. Even when new owners, a married couple, Susan, (Caroline Rabone), and Ray, (Glenn Morris), move in, Peter refused to move out of the garden. Susan was determined to remove Peter and viewed Ray as weak rather than kind when instead of getting annoyed with Peter he befriended him. She contacted the police and when policewoman, played by Debbie Ward, found Peter’s logic about trespass beyond her.” Can you be trespassing if you owned the property when you entered and have not left?” Everything came to a head when Ruth returned and both couples faced up to who they are, and we found Susan is just as vulnerable as the rest.

Centre stage throughout is the character of Peter who was played brilliantly by Graeme Lockey. His performance was flawless, and he held the stage unfalteringly throughout the entire play, acting instinctively during his exchanges with other characters with natural ease. Karen Evans was credible as Ruth. She played this role confidently adopting an unforgiving determined stance towards her insensitive husband. Glenn Morris gave a charmed performance as the benevolent, affable Ray. His body language with softly spoken dialogue endeared the audience to him as he responded naturally with kindness to Peter’s unwanted presence in their garden; his wife’s assertive directions and his response to a conversation when he overheard his wife talking to her mother about a much longed for baby,  she was thinking of getting rid of. He played this role very well and his exchanges with Peter had some of the best moments in the play. Caroline Rabone’s delivery as the formidable Susan was solid. She was utterly furious it seemed most of the time in the play and rightly so, in her own ’upside down life,’ just as the script demanded, but a bit more,’ light and shade’ in her voice delivery I felt was needed occasionally, as I didn’t believe her character to be entirely hard heartened. Her facial expressions and body gestures illustrated so effectively her dominance but also, justifiable frustrations and anger.

The lighting and quality of sound accredited to Phil Ward are worthy of mention for they established the right atmosphere for the play including the difference between day and night; and the authentic sound of summer rain and radio commentary which did not deter the audience from the audibility of the dialogue. Costumes for the cast were deemed appropriate and fitting. The props for the play were well managed and fitting in each scene; exchanged and reset as necessary without interruption of the flow of the play.

This wasn’t a laugh a minute comedy, but it did generate some chuckles from the audience. It was an enjoyable performance and the audience certainly showed well deserved appreciation. This was a play that was well cast and the outcome of a lot of hard work and team spirit by the cast and production team. Thank you so much for inviting me.

 

 

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