The Passing of Time - 'Waiting' and 'Red Card'

The Passing of Time
“Waiting” - Written & Directed by Jill Machin
“Red Card” - Written & Directed by Laurie Palmer
Ottery Community Theatre
The Institute, Ottery St Mary
Friday 16 th September 2022
‘Tricia Barclay
NODA Representative District 6

OCT gave a very warm welcome to their audience for this evening of One Act Plays, where
seating was café style around tables with a delicious “Ploughman’s Supper” served in the
interval.
The programme was billed as The Passing of Time, and both plays, written and directed by
members of the group, followed the stories of three quite different characters as time marched
on!
First up was Waiting where we were introduced to two very disparate mothers, Hannah, and
Marie, as they waited on a cold railway station for the arrival of their respective offspring home
from university for the holidays. The action followed the pair over the course of the next two
years as they met at the end of each term, and although poles apart they were soon
exchanging confidences, driven by the more outgoing Hannah, about their personal lives and
offspring as their relationship evolved and the tables were turned considerably at the end!
The role of Marie, the prim and diffident accountant’s wife, was very well played. Initially a shy
and retiring “stay at home” wife and mother of an exemplary daughter, she grew in confidence
over the years and thanks to Hannah’s encouragement learned to drive, joined a choir, and
even volunteered at her local Hospicecare shop – a turnaround indeed!
In complete contrast the loud “in your face” Hannah simply bounced onto the station like a
runaway train, with her blue and red streaked hair and brightly coloured clothes poor Marie
really didn’t stand a chance! Full of stories about her “wild child” son Joe she revealed rather
proudly that he was the result of a “one night stand”! Perhaps a little more “light and shade”
would have helped define the character, more especially when she started to run out of steam
towards the end and disintegrated completely in the final moments when admitting that Jo was
actually a missing person. However, this was a confident performance with some great dance
moves, and certainly had the audience on her side!
The set was simple with just a few chairs to depict the waiting -room. Time may have
precluded further touches but a maybe a screen with notices and timetables, and some station
sound effects would have added to the atmosphere.

The second play Red Card, was well ahead of its time, highlighting the rise in fortune in
women’s football and the rapid promotion of a local club player to star footballer!

The simple set worked well with a changing-room and bench SR complete with football “bits
and pieces” and a table doubling as the Commentary Box and Manager’s Office stage SL
framing a central entrance doorway, there were also some effective football match sound
effects over the commentary.
The central role of Cass Knightley the rising star made an immediate impression with her
swaggering arrogance and rude superior attitude to everyone around her. As she bowled
along enjoying all the perks of her newfound fame and fortune, she managed to sweep Bella,
who looked just perfect as the A list “top model” of the day, into her arms, although the
“money” seemed to be the main attraction, and her “fall from grace” in the end was justly
deserved! Other members of the cast ably took on several roles, from Player’s Agent and
Manager to Match Commentators, Cameramen, and PA. At times this made for a few slightly
tricky moves across the stage but generally everyone coped well. Dan the “boot cleaner” had
a natural stage presence and was spot on - he had obviously seen it all before!
With an enthusiastic team both on stage and behind the scenes, all supporting Meningitis
Research Foundation and Men’s Shed, the whole evening had a lovely atmosphere of
community spirit and was most enjoyable and timely in its presentation.

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what they see at the
performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the
performance, and it is inevitable that their assessment will be affected by that knowledge.
The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall
production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any
review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the
performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other
performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and
encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the
reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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