Three One Act Plays

What an interesting and varied evening this was. Three very different one act plays directed by two first time directors.

A FRANK EXCHANGE – This was a tense, dramatic play written by Nicholas Marsh. The play is set in Amsterdam during the German occupation - it is not seen from the viewpoint of those in hiding but from the German occupiers, the Dutch who collaborated with them and those who sort to protect those in hiding. The direction by Esther Poulus was impressive, she captured the mood of the play perfectly. It was quite moving and very chilling in places. There were two outstanding performances from Simon Wolfenden as Julius Dettman and Rhiannon George as Helena Claassen and excellent performances from Joel Dobb as Meinicke, Richard Graham as Jan ten Haken, Ken Roberts as Henk and Rachel Dobb as Elsbet. The set was simple but effective with really slick scene changes. The costumes were very authentic and I loved the hair styles. Well done to you all!

ZOO – This was a hilariously funny play written by Terry Adlam. The action takes place in a Zoo where  the Zoo manager’s day goes from bad to worse with hilarious consequences! This was excellent first time directing by Rachel Dobb. The play had a very fast pace which was well sustained throughout. Most of the actors are not seen by the audience but their voices heard off-stage conjured up some great characters. The two stand-out performances came from Matthew George as the zoo manager and Alison Roberts as Paula the keeper who appeared dressed as a penguin! Well done to all the cast of Zoo; this play was so much fun from start to finish and I have to say was my favourite of the evening.

ALL BY MYSELF - This was a short comedy written by Robert Scott. The play is set on a desert island and features five characters that are all sole survivors from different shipwrecks and are not aware of each other until they begin to appear to each other and there is a surprising twist at the end. This was another very well directed play by Rachel Dobb; a good pace was set and the action flowed with ease. Five excellent performances from Joel Dobb as Larry, Alison Roberts as Pemberton, Simon Wolfenden as Ashworth, Chris Hobson as Miller and Jill Colston as Nicholson. The set and costumes were all very good. This play was also very funny and a lot of fun to watch.

Congratulations to all at Hardingstone Players both on and off the stage for an excellent and highly entertaining evening.

CAROLINE JERVIS (deputising for Keith Loynes)     

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