The Foreigner

What a pleasure it was to be invited to see New Buckenham Players staging of The Foreigner by Larry Shue, after what seemed like an age. After a warm welcome we were shown into the hall and were faced with this stunning looking set. The stage had been transformed into a log cabin and one of which the crew should be proud.

I had no preconceptions of this piece having never seen it or indeed heard of it, but it is always good to see something new, and to have people who are brave enough to put it on.

The story is set in Georgia and on a stormy night we meet Froggy LeSeur (Jen Malone). As she sets the story and the reason for the visit, she shows us a strong, confident person with the ability to think on their feet, sometimes to her detriment. She and Charlie Baker (Richard Peat) who are visiting this getaway to stay with Froggy’s friend Betty Meeks (Sam Allen). Charlie, who is super shy and needs time and space to work out what to do about his adulterous wife is convinced by Foggy to pretend to be a foreigner who neither speaks nor understands English. Thus giving him his peace and quiet. Richard rose to this challenge as he sat and listened to everything going on around him and adding the occasional “Thank you” got to know what was actually happening in the cabin. The scene where he tells a story in his foreign language was a delight and had the audience almost howling with laughter. The owner of the cabin is a southern lady, Betty Meeks and she is worried by her building having been condemned but still offers a warm welcome to Charlie and talks to him by shouting. Sam maintained her strong accent throughout and gave us a character who is homely and warm but in need of some help to maintain her property. Her excitement at having a foreigner staying with her was clear for all to see.

Also staying at the cabin is The Reverend David Marshall Lee (Ollie Allen) and his fiancée Catherine Simms (Hayley Turner) and her sister Ellie May Simms (Susanah Clarke). With the introduction of these people the story now becomes even more complicated. The Reverend who is off doing good works, is, actually organising a peaceful rebellion in Georgia involving the Invisible Army. Catherine has just discovered that she is pregnant by her apparently infertile fiancée and is concerned about the amount of time he spends away. While discovering she has a confidante in Charlie as she thinks he does not understand what she is saying. Elly May is an heiress to half of her Fathers fortune but only if she can prove to her sister that she is worthy. The Reverend needs the entire fortune to finance his rebellion and so is trying to convince everyone that Elly May is mentally unbalanced. This trio gave us some very convincing performances as each of their characters changed and managed to maintain their southern style accents well throughout. The Rev became more alienated, Catherine started to fall for Charlie and Elly May became more confident as she started to teach Charlie to speak English.

The last person to add to the story is Maggie Musser (Jenny Elliott de Riverol). This lady is going out of her way to deliver the rebellion as quickly as possible and by whatever means. This is one of those parts that gets booed in the finale and Jenny was evil enough to fully warrant hers.

Needless to say Charlie stands up to the Invisible Army and wins. This gives him the confidence to plan the next part of his life and move forward with his new found self-assuredness. Catherine offers to pay for the repairs to Betty’s house and Elly May gets her fortune. The Reverend unfortunately just got more boos in the finale from the almost full hall.

Bold choice, well executed.

Looking forward to Beauty and The Beast

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