The Gut Girls
Information
- Date
- 25th May 2022
- Society
- Peaslake Players
- Venue
- Peaslake Village Hall
- Type of Production
- Play
- Director
- Ted Horton
THE GUT GIRLS. An unusual but brave choice of play which gives the lady members of the Society the opportunity to shine. The play presents many challenges, not least of which is creating a multi-purpose set. Strong ensemble playing is called for from girls and the director is called upon to address multi -faceted themes of women’s rights, gender, social and inequality as well as animal welfare. All of which are very pertinent today.
The stage had been divided into two acting areas the smaller of which was the down stage apron area in front of the house tabs. To facilitate entrances and exits the house tabs were only half drawn which gave the audience a tantalising peek into the main set. Quite outstanding and quite a feature of the play were the outstanding props. I refer of course to the sides of meat hung on a rack at DSL and not least the entrails and guts which were SO realistic and believable I could almost smell them and felt quite nauseated; they were so realistic
The lighting gave an authentic period feel to the play. The opening scene in the abattoir gave a good spread of light across the stage whilst leaving the unused US stage area in a black out. Never once was the stage too harshly lit thus giving the impression of use of oil lamps or streetlamps. This all added to creating the appropriate period atmosphere.
In the opening scene the girls were superbly and appropriately costumed in blood-stained working outfits. Similarly, their hands were suitably stained with blood and pieces of guts and animal entrails. It was so realistic. Lady Helena had a variety of Edwardian outfits which provided a good contrast to the grimy working costumes of the girls.
An essential element for this play to succeed is teamwork and ensemble playing This was an outstanding feature of the play. The delivery and timing of the Gut Girls dialogue and their interaction with one another was commendable. The tight acting area in the opening scene didn’t allow the director the opportunity to create interesting “pictures” or movement other than the character Annie who tediously swept the floor. The transition into Lady Helena’s drawing room was seamless and very well done. The minimalist set was all that was needed, and the variety of other scenes were again swiftly changed with the addition of. a few props or furniture. In an episodic play of this kind quick scene changes are so important, so maintain pace and the audience’s attention.
There were some commendable performances - outstanding in the ensemble of ‘Gut girls’ was Sarah Knott who played Maggie. Her performance was controlled with excellent gesture and facial expression and an easy natural delivery of her lines. Mike Sutton who played Len injected fresh pace into his scene with his lively and colourful delivery Bobby Knott showed a good transition of character in his scene with Maggie. Finally, the actress who stood in for and read the part of Annie should be proud of her achievement. Not once was I aware that she was reading from a script she kept it so well hidden behind a convenient prop.
This was a fine example of ensemble playing with strong characterisations and imaginative settings which together with swift changes and outstanding props contributed to a good interpretation of this unusual but worthy play.
Meg Bray.
Assistant Regional Representative District 18
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