Three One Act Comedies

What could be better for an evening of entertainment than a play performed by Second Thoughts? The answer could be said to be three plays all on the same evening.

The decision to show case two plays performed over recent years in a drama festival plus a third play written by one of their members was a wise decision.

The plays were very different, although all comedy. The laugh out loud moments increased with each play in turn. Having said that all were well done. There were some linking themes during the evening. For example, the prosecco (if only it had been real) seemed to flow throughout as well as mentions of Macbeth and certain reference to dogs. Other themes (if one can use this term) was the membership of the society involved. For example, author of one play will appear in another, directing one play while again appearing in another.

Having three different plays clearly means it is not possible to have a solid box set in place unless all three could share it. Therefore, directors worked to the frequent rule of one act festivals whereby sets needed to be set and struck in ten minutes or less. This results in minimalistic sets and dressing and means the director must be able to make any impact needed and portray the location immediately. Each of these directors achieved this by means of furniture, props and set dressing.

Firstly, we saw ‘Wherefore Art Thou Lady Macbeth.’

When two actresses share a greenroom during the interval of their respective plays (Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet) they are unsure which direction to take back to their play, one is on the main stage and one in the studio. The result could be ending up within each other’s play. With both having little (at best) knowledge of the other play each describe what the other would need to do.

Stephanie Jepson as Lady Macbeth and Charlotte Horobin as Juliet worked well together, and the lines flowed easily between them as they appeared to drink more and more before the inevitable end. Ensuring they had the cleanest floor in any theatre was Barbara Treen as the rather unhelpful Mrs Walinowski.

Secondly, we saw Supersnout a play written by Jane Cafarella, an Australian playwright.

Julie played by Olivia Jane Parker discovers she can hear her dog Andre (otherwise known as Supersnout in the dog community) played by Oli Williams.  These two dominated the proceedings as the dog (a chihuahua) reveals what happens when Julie is away from home. The mannerisms of Oli were well thought out, and one wanted to believe he was a six-foot dog!! Meanwhile Olivia played a believable cheated wife. These two actors were ably supported by Rob Williams as Tom the husband and Yvette Greenway as Gloria his friend!  

Finally, was Whisking Eggs by Jackie Lines a local playwright.

To understand the title of the play you will however need to either see the play yourself or at least read it. This was a further well directed and well-acted play by the four cast members we saw with good believable characters.

The explanation in the brochure told us, ‘Miss Behave, a menopausal dominatrix, unexpectedly finds her new lodger is the vicar’s wife who doesn’t believe in God’ Along with librarian Linda who was having imaginary conversations and the outrageous Lady Cartington -Smyth threating to reveal all.

Each character played the description to the fullest. Jane Grafton as Marjorie had some excellent facial expressions and good comic timing to make the most of the humour. Caroline Whitfield was convincing as the librarian in a stereotypical characterisation. Rachel Alcock as the whip cracking Doreen was well played as was the eccentric Lady Cartington- Smyth played by Margot McCleary.

Lighting for all three was provided by Nic Walsh and Chris Musson to good effect. Sound was similarly well carried out by Andy Jepson.

Overall a lovely enjoyable evening. Well done to all at Second Thoughts and I look forward to seeing everyone again at ‘A Chorus of Disapproval’ by Alan Ayckbourn in October.   

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