The Minutes

   

I was warmly welcomed on arrival and was able to discuss the performance at the end with Director Will Parrick.

When I entered the auditorium I immediately felt that I had entered a council chamber, so detailed and precise was the set  designed by David Thompson and built by him and Jonathan Abbott. Purportedly the home of Big Cherry City Council the set featured desks in a semi circle each displaying the name of the councillor, the mayor’s desk and two American flags. There was a good entrance/exit and two other rooms; a rest room and a kitchen. Few props were needed. Sound effects and projection were good and lighting enhanced the set with spots and flashes. Brief recurring blackouts took place when required. Costumes were all appropriate and supplied by the Manifest Costume Team.

There was superb acting throughout by all the cast with American accents skilfully maintained. Each character brought their individuality to the meeting which had been called to discuss the Founders’ Day celebrations. There was plenty of humour in this play mainly by character interpretation and quirky expressions and behaviours. Each character was distinctive and there appeared no cohesion between them! The plot was delivered very slickly and everyone on stage appeared word perfect!

New to the council was Mr Peel, well played by Adam Duarte-Dias. He was a strong and animated character desperate to find answers to straightforward questions ie where are the minutes from the last meeting, where is Mr Carp ?  Mr Assalone, played by James Potter was truculent and rather detached from the meeting whilst Kerry King, as Ms Innes, delivered an extremely long statement to the meeting which was largely ignored!

I loved the character of Mr Oldfield admirably played by Tim Strugnell. He prevaricated in a bumbling manner raising insignificant issues which were not relevant to the meeting eg about parking spaces. I suspect that most of us have witnessed similar characters at meetings ! Eleanor Chandler took the role of the secretary, Ms Johnson displaying a calm and unruffled manner with  high attention to detail and procedures in spite of constant demands  for the missing minutes !

Les Chisnall was Mayor Superba trying hard to avoid making any decisions and eventually losing control of the meeting. A fight ensued with the cast depicting a battle with Native Americans in the history of the city complete with hobby horses headbands etc. Great fun !

Jay Stebbing was Mr Hanratty passionately proposing an accessible fountain.

Mr Blake was played by Peregrine Maturin-Baird, trying hard to gain approval for a Lincoln Slapdown cage match. Loraine Crook was Ms Matz waffling on about her many medications and a dominant and forthright Mr Breeding was well acted by Toby Roberts demanding a redesign of the fountain. Mr Carp, played by Matthew Fish finally appeared to relate the real story of the city’s origins.

Of course no decisions were taken at the meeting which only emphasised the petty tensions and intrigue prevalent amongst the council members.

A thought provoking and enjoyable play expertly delivered by these talented actors and ably directed by Will Parrick.  Well done to everyone involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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