The Mystery of Edwin Drood

One thing I most admire about Tickenham Drama Group is your brave choices of  show. Just looking back through your list I see shows such as Hired Man, Jack the  Ripper, A Little Night Music,The Bakewell Bake-off, Into the Woods and Company.  Most of these shows wouldn’t be touched with a barge pole for probably a couple  of reasons. None of them you’d think to be big ticket sellers and also the sheer  complexities involved in these shows, but not Tickenham, they grab each show by  the throat and just simply work out how to make it work. Edwin Drood was no  exception I actually can’t recall any other amateur club doing it in our area  although I may be wrong on that. If we all knew the key of what shows sell well  wouldn’t that be wonderful, but taking a risk is brave and I’m so pleased that you  had such a success with this one. For some I’m sure this would be a “marmite”  show you’d either love it or hate it. For me I thought it was totally bonkers but I  loved it. You gave us a good couple of hours of sheer entertainment. For me the  winning formula was in your casting. This was spot on. Not a weak link. I quite  enjoyed being accosted by Nick Cricker Jnr/Deputy upon arrival. What a hoot. I’m  still smiling about the pony (if you know you know)! 

The set certainly set the tone for the evening. The red drapes and footlights were  just perfect for that Victorian feel and building the set right out to the sides really  frames the small stage at Tickenham perfectly and loses that village hall feel. There  was definitely a theatrical buzz in the audience and maybe the cast all appearing in  character created that? If this wasn’t scripted this was the perfect show to do this  with. I’m so glad you took the opportunity. The excitement was tremendous.  I loved the idea of this being a show within a show. We certainly saw both sides to  each character and it certainly created some very funny moments, each character  being very confident in whichever role they were playing. I thought this was a sign  of a good rehearsal period.  

I loved the opening number “There You Are” it really had punch and was a great  introduction to these very interesting characters. This set the scene nicely for the  rest of the evening. To me it felt seamless, each scene ran perfectly into each  other. I don’t recall any dead spots at all. 

The Sound And Lighting were extremely tight. Sound were very much on cue and I  thought the lighting created some rather atmospheric moments certainly in “the  drug den”. Dim and eerie creating shadows but was bright a clear when needed to  be. Well done to both teams.  

Musicians  

Under the baton of Sue Parker I just knew the sound of the band was going to be  first class and I was right. Although they were to the side of us in the hall not once  did I feel they were intrusive. You captured the sound of the music hall period  perfectly. Also the balance between the band and vocals was spot on.  

Choreography  

Firstly congratulations on taking this on whilst playing a major role too! I really  enjoyed the shaping of the larger numbers. You created great pictures without the  stage looking cramped. Plus you played to everyone’s capabilities - everyone  looked at ease and I felt were well drilled. A great job done on such a small stage.  The smaller numbers too felt very natural and well thought through. Great job.  

Make up/ Costumes  

I think the costume team played a blinder for this show. They all looked just right  on each character and well fitted. Maybe the odd modern men’s shoe here and  there but I know these can be the most difficult to find and fit and costs the earth.  The colours all worked together perfectly. I particularly liked Puffers dress it looked  wonderful with the flame coloured wig. Durdles too looked just perfect finished off nicely with the boots.  

Make up looked very natural especially on the men. I supposed this is one show  the men could have gone to town with the old rouge on the cheeks but I’m glad  you didn’t.  

I’ve already said I thought this show was excellently cast but here’s just a few lead  characters I thought deserved a mention. Sorry I couldn’t mention everyone.  

Chair  

I know having spoken to you this was not the idea that you would direct and take  on such a massive part but I take my hat off to you, you pulled off both excellently.  You absolutely held the stage when delivering to the audience. You became the  sole focus and yet even though you were on virtually all the way through you  disappeared just nicely when needed to and I loved how you focused on the  action. You fronted the opening with great confidence and I must say “Both Sides  of the Coin” was superb from yourself and Jasper. So wordy and cleverly done.  Loved it. Looked great and a voice that soars. 

Princess Puffer  

Very well costumed and just perfect with the makeup. I particularly liked your  change of character at times, really made me smile.  

You took us on a great journey with the song “Wages Of Sin”. This scene was one  of my favourites. A good strong actress and a team player. Your interaction with  other characters was completely natural. A nicely thought through performance.  

Durdles/Deputy  

What great energy and comedy you both bought to the table. A real double act.  Whether interacting with the audience or onstage both kept your characters  completely focused and you fronted “Off To the Races” superbly. I really enjoyed  both performances immensely. Well done boys.  

Jasper  

What a strong performance with definite shades of Jekyl and Hyde.  Good command of the stage with comic timing to die for. I thought you handled  the drunk/drugged scene extremely well. Quite often these sort of scenes can be  taken over the top but you played it just right. Good vocals and diction too which  came into their own on “Both Sides of the Coin” this was a real high light for me.  All round a good focussed performance that I felt a lot of thought had gone into.  

Rosa Budd  

What a voice. You shone through the opening company number adding those top  notes securely. We really felt your uncomfortableness when Jasper was trying to  force his desires onto you and when with Drood we really felt the relaxed Rosa.  I really enjoyed “Moonfall” and the duet “Perfect Strangers” was beautifully sung  between you and Drood. This was a great part for you one I’m sure you’ll  remember with fondness for a long time.  

Edwin Drood  

This part really suited you. You looked just right as a kind of principal boy with that  air of confidence throughout. The change of character to Alice Nutting when you’d  been killed off was so funny with the storming off. Nice singing voice that blended  

lovely with Rosa on “Perfect Strangers” and “Two Kinsmen” had some great  harmony work.  

Neville Landless  

You looked very striking in that costume no wonder you became Jaspers dreaded  rival for Rosas affections. I felt a good energy from you throughout with good  diction and clear singing voice. I thought you’d be prime suspect for Droods  murder but not on Thursday night! 

Helena Landless  

Gosh you looked beautiful in that costume. Make up just right. This was a lovely  elegant performance. The friendship between you and Rosa felt very sincere and  your support of twin Neville was very apparent. Whether solo singing or in the  company you remained focused throughout. I was so pleased you got voted as  Dick Datchery as it gave you a further chance to perform. 

Bazzard 

A very strong commanding presence on stage. Everything you did was with  conviction and I felt you were focussed throughout whether involved in the  dialogue or not. That nice bass voice helped with the harmonies on the company  singing and your own solo came across very well.  

Director  

Great casting and really good choice of set for a small stage. This kept the action  flowing throughout. It is quite a long piece and I understand you made some cuts. I  thought this was most likely wise as the voting and sorting of the suspects took  some time but it was very exciting to think anyone of the suspects could end the  show. The night we came it was Durdles and it felt so seamless that I had to  question was there really a vote or is this the normal ending. I felt very sorry for all  the other cast members who had obviously learnt a different song but didn’t get  chance to perform it, but that’s the nature of the beast.  

You got every ounce of comedy from the writing and plenty of light and shade into  the dialogue. You kept our attention throughout. So considering you played a  major role as well I hope you got a well earned lie down for at least three days.  

Thank you Tickenham Drama Group for bringing Edwin Drood to our attention. I  felt it to be a very good club show with plenty for everyone to get involved in. A  bonkers but glorious night at the same time. Thank you all for a wonderful evening.  

I look forward to the next one.  

Best wishes 

Mike x

 

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