The Reunion

Reunions can be fraught with danger.  On this occasion old niggles, after festering for 25 years, bubble to the surface, resulting in an amusing, quite moving play. Pompous Nigel (Paul Kelly) organises a reunion of “lads” who frequented the pub where they now gather. Turnout is disappointing; a buffet, not ordered by Nigel, is set out.  An un-requested DJ, Mugsy (Ian Dixon), also seems to be provided.  He is the “mate” they all used to avoid. Thomo (Ian Heslop), self-made, second-hand car salesman is responsible for the buffet - and also for selling an old banger to the only other attendee, Malcolm (Jim Wardle), a quiet, gentle soul.  Of the other “lads”, one died in a crash, the rest have something better to do. 

The ladies (Lorraine White, Brenda Parker, Sue Douglas and Jeanette Hunter) all wish they were somewhere else. They, however, provide the sparks which set off the slightly Whitehall farce-ish events.  The play is an 8-hander and the actors brought depth and humour to it.  My favourite moments involved Nigel’s wife, Kay (Jeanette) and Malcolm, as they allowed their frustration to overflow against different members of the group. On the night I attended, an extra cast member, the prompt, was almost drawn into the action.  That, too, was very funny but probably not what the writer intended!  This was local, amateur dramatics at the sharp end and it provided me with an amusing, memorable evening.

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