The Good Life

The Good Life … a play performed by Southport Dramatic Club at Southport Little Theatre on Thursday, 16th May, 2024

BBC’s… ‘The Good Life’ was a television series created by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey and ran for four series from 1975 to 1978.  The series follows suburban couple … Tom Good and his wife Barbara who decide to swap the ‘pressures of the ‘rat race’ for an alternative and more sustainable way of living.  They set about turning their home and their lives into a model of self-sufficiency, by growing their own fruit and veg, keep livestock in the garden, making their own clothes and even generating their own electricity from manure. So, it’s the ‘good Life’ for them … but not for their next-door neighbours Margo and Jerry Leadbetter who are desperately trying to maintain their snooty Surbiton status quo.  This theatrical adaptation of this beloved 1970’s TV Classic was penned by Jeremy Sams who re-unites us with these well- loved characters on stage … plunging their lives YET AGAIN into a series of hilarious scrapes and escapades!  

The Production Team …  I always think, adapting a TV series into a play, must be difficult, especially when the TV series has been a huge success as this one was. You have certain ‘expectations’ and if those expectations are not met, then it can be a bit disappointing!  Adrian Miles-Roberts (Director) and Simon Hawkins (Assistant Director) were the ones handed the reins for this one, and I really do think they made a good job of it!  Adrian/Simon had gathered a good cast and with clear direction they ensured that the essence of the original sitcom was preserved whilst allowing themselves a little time and space for their own creative interpretation. Congrats to you both, good job!   

The Cast … we had a cast of six … four playing individual roles and two playing multiple male and female character roles. The production starts by shining a spotlight on the ‘Good Family’ … Tom and Barbara played by Richard Michell and Corinna Davies respectively who are celebrating ‘Toms 40th birthday’. Having reached this milestone birthday, Tom the designer of ‘plastic toys for cereal boxes, is having a mid-life crisis whilst reflecting about his and Barbara’s future life together! Unbeknown to Tom, Barbara has also been thinking along the same lines and so the story unfolds, with home grown fruit and Veg and a garden full of constantly escaping chickens, pigs and hens to the fore!  Richard was able to create a great character in the form of ‘Tom’; Corinna, who I thought gave the ‘stand out performance’ on the night, created another totally believable character in the form of ‘Barbara’.  Between them, they captured the essence of the husband-and-wife duo with effortless ease, wonderful stage presence, impeccable comedic timing, on-stage chemistry and their ability to create the contrasting personalities within the marriage added depth to their already believable characters.  Congrats to both on jobs well done!  As the play unfolds, we are introduced to couple number two… the snooty/snobby neighbours in the form of ‘Jerry and Margo Leadbetter’ played well by Radley Haynes and Jacqui Padden.  Another believable couple, who again created two more believable characters.  Radley did a great job with ‘Jerry’ the hard-working devoted husband who secretly craves a more relaxed and stress-free life, the polar opposite to ‘Margo’ who’s incessant ‘uptight demeanour’ creates a sense of balance to their dynamics which enriches the overall narrative of this production. Jacqui’s portrayal of ‘Margo’ came a very close second for ‘stand out performance’ for me … creating another totally believable character who provided us with a character full of charm and comedy flair.  We then come to our two ‘multi character filling roles’ … and what a job Les Gomersall (Pigman, Policeman, Sir and Doctor) and Trudi Hirsch (Housekeeper, Wife to Sir, Housemaid and Doctor’s Receptionist) made of these roles. Playing ‘multiple roles isn’t easy, but both Les and Trudi transitioned between each role seamlessly, embodying each character through personality, body language, accents and facial expressions which added so much depth to their characters and to this play… be ever so proud you two… great jobs!

Staging/Stage/Tech … once again we were treated to a great set here at Southport Little Theatre, which afforded the cast every opportunity to be able to ‘do their thing’ with effortless ease.  Stage Manager Debbie Moss and the SDC Design Team, Construction Team, Stage Crew, and Scenic Artist Bob Jessamine should all be congratulated on jobs well done.  Lighting… as always was first class… designed by Scott Crawford and operated by Neil Yates.  Sound … by David Proffitt and Scott Crawford.
I’ve said this before… the ‘big problem’ when converting a TV series into stage productions are the issues with multiple scene changes and/or where the cast need to change … it does break the flow of the production… there were many such instances in this production… not much can be done I know and I do think the audiences have come to expect… but it does affect the flow without doubt! What didn’t affect the flow … were the projected images and clips shown on the small screen to the rear of the set… ingenious and well received by the audience… not sure if something like that could ‘bridge those gaps’ during the scene changes… just to keep the audience interested… just a thought!

Wardrobe/Props… fabulous costumes used throughout which enhanced the production… provided by the SDC Wardrobe Team.  ‘Props’ provided were excellent and used well, under the watchful eye of Ed Davies and the SDC Props Team

This was a play full of superb ‘comedy one liners’ which had the audience chuckling away throughout especially the jokes and remarks about ‘Busty June’ from the office.  I also loved the mayhem caused when the ‘poppyseed cakes were ‘spiked’ with marijuana at the Leadbetter’s ‘after show party’, but the highlight for me was the ‘Nativity Scene’ which was hilariously amazing.  Congrats to all!

Before closing, can I thank SDC for organising/arranging for me to meet Paul Wilkinson during the interval and for allowing me to present him with his NODA NW Regional Award for his dedication in directing the SDC Youth Production … ‘The Wolves of Willoughby Chase’ last year which won him this award.

Thanks so much for inviting Susan and I to this production, we really enjoyed it and we’re already looking forward to ‘The Revlon Girl’ in June and SDC Youth Theatres Production of ‘Sweeney Todd’ in August.

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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