The Good Life

On the fiftieth anniversary of the original TV series airing, it seems inconceivable now to those old enough to remember it starting (and I count myself in that category) that it only lasted just over three years spanning four series and two Christmas specials. Such is the love and affection the TV show engendered to a nation in the pre ‘winter of discontent’ era, that 50 years later a play based on the characters and concept of the series should garner equally as much love for the basic concept of ‘self-sufficiency’ and a slight nod to ‘sticking it to the man’.

Westovian’s who are one of the best drama societies in the region managed in a six-week rehearsal schedule to ‘nail’ the characters and produce a show full of humour, (some laugh out loud, other very contemplative).

First a word about the set, a lot of thought had gone into creating a set covering two specific areas of Barbara and Tom’s living/dining room and that of Margo and Jerry. Ideally the play is written for use of a revolving stage, which is not an option with the Pier Pavilion, hence they adapted by having a split stage with movable back wall with the central dining table common to both houses. The set was dressed well with (on the ‘Good’s side) brass chargers on the walls, authentic period transistor radios and much kitchen equipment and chairs of the period; contrasting with the slightly more opulent furniture on the Leadbetter’s side with their serving hatch, cafetieres and charcuterie board and fancy serving dishes (and a better stocked wine and spirit collection !)

For those living under a rock for 50 years Tom Good (Matthew Pegden) decides on his 40th birthday to quit the rat race of being the ‘old man’ of the office of JJM letting the young guns get on with the important job of creating plastic toys for boxes of cereals (who remembers that trend…); and turn his garden, lifestyle and house over to self-sufficiency joined by his wife Barbara (Hannah Potter).
Both Matthew and Hannah were well suited to the iconic roles and captured the essences of the original players without fully mimicking them; their actions in handling their ‘goat’ Geraldine to milk it whilst picking out the ‘droppings’ was definitely one of the afore mentioned laugh out loud moments.

In contrast their next-door neighbours and friends Jerry Leadbetter (Gary Manson) and Margo (Rachel Craig) were ideally suited to the long-suffering Jerry and the rather prim and proper (but lacking in humour) character of Margo. Gary and Rachel worked well together as Gary’s character sought an easy life whereas Rachel’s character was self-driven and was genuinely clueless to why she could not get her own way simply because she wanted it.

Every play needs a strong ending of an act and finale – the first act ending was a corker as a dinner party hosted by the Leadbetters invite JJM’s Managing Director, Sir Andrew – simply referred to as ‘Sir’ (Gavin O’Doherty) and his wife Felicity (Catherine Robertson) to their soiree in formal wear; alongside the Good’s (in dungarees).

Over the course of the evening the six are getting progressively inebriated and more than slightly ‘stoned,’ courtesy of a ‘weed’ laced poppy seed cake supplied accidentally by Barbara. The chaos descends rapidly into inappropriate revelations, drunken games of golf in the living room and an escaped bovid wrecking the living room through a serving hatch.

The second act followed on in similar style with Jeni Langley playing multiple roles of Pigwoman, Dr Jo and Police Officer to great effect (Catherine also doubled up as Margaret, Mary and the Milkwoman showing the versatility of both women.)

Costumes and lighting were excellent and very appropriate for the play up to and including the ‘nativity scene’ style ending – very classy.

This play could not have been easy for director Joan and the background team of helpers in sourcing the complexities of props and technicalities required and all respect to them.

The cast each provided their own individuality to recognisable characters without losing out on the fundamentals of the characters they were playing. Pace was maintained throughout and a thoroughly enjoyable evening and experience (apart from the heat…) was enjoyed by the appreciative audience, as I said earlier proving the assertion that Westovians are one of the most accomplished drama groups around – well done.

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