The Welkin

 

                             

I was warmly welcomed on arrival by Sara Knight, the Society Secretary who described the production. The set was designed and constructed by the society and consisted of a basic work area for the women with a staircase leading to a landing at the back. There was good access on and off stage including via the staircase. Several realistic props had been made by the society including a butter churn, a speculum and manacles and a crow! Good use was made of atmospheric lighting and sounds eg the rhythmic pounding  of the butter being made. Costumes were mostly drab and of the period ie 1759 with some hired and others from the society wardrobe.

The action of the play took place in a village on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and was a historical and sometimes humorous drama which told a compelling story of twelve ordinary women sitting in judgement on a convicted murderer claiming leniency due to a supposed pregnancy.

Suffolk/Norfolk accents were a little variable but in the main came over well. Casting was very appropriate with each actor seemingly playing to their strengths.

Katie Mayes, as Sally Poppy, was the convicted murderer, sentenced to death unless the women could prove that she was indeed pregnant. Katie was amazing in this role being coarse and thoroughly obnoxious and raging with anger throughout.  An excellent performance from Katie.

Without exception the twelve women performed incredibly well with strong interpretation of the characters they were playing. Penny Mills, as Elizabeth Luke, a midwife, had a pivotal role in the group, being outspoken and somewhat authoritative during the group deliberations. However she also displayed compassion towards Sally. Lynn Whitehead , as Charlotte Cary, was the “posh” character in the group competing with Elizabeth for leadership. Nicely spoken amongst the coarse accents of the others ! Ali Crawley was a rather dim Mary Middleton, always trying to make her points. Other group roles were played by Julie Ford, as Judith, Aileen Stirling, as Kitty, Lorna Hollister, as Helen, Laura Gilbert, as Sarah, Fiona Haskell, as Emma, Heidi Bernhard-Bubb, as Ann, Cherry Locke, as Hannah, Anthea Halstead, as Sarah and Rachel Page-Molloy as Peg/Lady Wax. There was an interesting choice of song which the women sang in Act Two.

And there were a few men in the cast ! Dave Hossack was a commanding Mr Coombes, an officer of the “court” keeping a firm eye on the proceedings but banished by the women to a mainly observer status. He carried this role very well with fascinating facial expressions. Harry Page-Molly was Sally’s husband at the beginning, angry and coarse in his manner and treatment of his wife. Harry was then cast later in the play as Mr Willis, the doctor, where he treated Sally brutally and with a lack of sensitivity. He wielded some sinister looking medical equipment !  Richard Fawcett and Tim Strugnell shared the small part of The Justice.

A niche role, as Elizabeth’s young daughter Katy was confidently played by Charley Hardy-Thompson.

This was a superb and polished production and credit must go to Director Annie Eddington for her impressive casting and creative ability in bringing this play to the stage.

Well done to everyone involved.

 

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© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.