Towards Zero

Well it couldn’t have been a more scene setting evening outside: dark, dreary,
misty, and raining. One could almost feel a murder was imminent. 
I must say myself and my partner received a very warm welcome from the
lovely smiley lady at the box office, Lynda Sloane and indeed Director Rich
MacPherson thank you for that, it helped ease me nicely into my new role of
being an adjudicator for Noda and embarking on my first adjudication. 

SET/LIGHTING/SOUND
I was so thrilled for you to have a virtually full capacity audience and boy were
they buzzing. There certainly was a first night air of excitement. Once the
lights went down a perfect choice of music was chosen to set the scene
before the curtain opened to a very worthy round of applause welcoming
a beautiful set. Full marks to the design team. Although the play is set in the
50’s I do understand the directors motive for going 20’s/30’s look. I remember
visiting my grandparents house in London and although it was the 70’s it had
a 50’/60’s feel to it and slightly old fashioned. And so our story unfolded. 
I thought the set was lit perfectly allowing us to see every detail and every
characters expression throughout. It dimmed when necessary, before the
storm for instance and depicting the different times of day for all six scenes. I
particularly liked the silhouette of Neville looking out to the Bay hotel for the
opening of Act 2 scene 3. Sound effects too were prompt and in keeping. Well
done both teams. 
Sound was mostly good. It’s a huge hall and although front stage mics were
used there was a tendency for some voices to go extremely quiet when acting
towards the back of the stage. I notice more and more professional plays
use personal radio mics now, probably due to TV stars being given theatre
roles who aren’t used to projecting their voices on TV. I’m not suggesting you
go down this route but when you only have front stage mics it does have a
tendency to ring when someone projects up close and of course we heard
every one of Superintendent Battles measured footsteps. I have noticed
overhead mics being used in this environment it may iron out these (very
small) issues. 

ACTING
The pace of the acting got off to a very good start and to be honest was
maintained throughout, just a slight dip in the scene with Mary and Ted after
dinner just where voices were at the same level throughout this little
duologue. A slight bit of variety would have lifted it. I must congratulate both
actors on making their debuts. Mary in a play and Ted first time on the boards

completely. You both have great potential and this will no doubt not be your
last. 
There were a couple of prompts throughout but handled extremely
professionally and pace was back on track. There was a slight stumbling in
the final scene between Battle and Neville, but again the pace was soon
picked up. We’ve all been there and it’s a horrid feeling and feels like an age,
but again you carried on very professionally. 

CHARACTERS
Each actor correct in their part. When this happens you are onto a winner. 
Neville Strange: A very handsome rogue, looking exactly right and athletic as
the character required. Personally I would have liked to have seen a bit more
petulance/ arrogance from Neville. The character you went with, you
maintained throughout but it just didn’t ring quite true how Treves described
you in the final scene. But you certainly came into your own in the final scene.
A massive leap of character and got the audience jumping in their seats.
Reminded me of the Shining!  Well costumed. Well done. 
Mathew Treves: Maintained a good honest character from the off. I loved
how you became our “Marple or Poirot” a good actor throughout and very
believable. Always dapper in costume and excellent timing. Congratulations. 
Lady Tressilan: When you entered the room and I knew from that moment
we were in the capable hands of a good actress. Comic timing was excellent
and knew how to use expressions to the full. You did remind me of Peggy
Mount, who was an amazing actress, so high praise indeed. We certainly
knew you were the matriarch of the family. And all eyes were on you in all
your scenes. Congratulations. 
Thomas Royde: created a good character from your entrance with the golf
clubs. We did get that lack of confidence and not necessarily good at social
skills. (I’m taking it that was acting?). The Malayan tan worked well and the
suit a good colour giving us a colonial feel. I would have liked a bit more
feeling in your first embrace with Audrey considering you hadn’t seen each
other for years and she was the one that got away and maybe just a bit of eye
contact with the audience when being questioned by Battle. Just a look that
told us I don’t have to answer these questions whilst you were re lighting your
pipe. But we did warm to you as the play progressed your timing of the
entrance at the end of act 2 scene 1 was perfect. You sustained your
character throughout. Well done. 
Kay Strange: What an accomplished actress. We got your measure right
from the off. Very good characterisation and sustained throughout. I felt your
performance was thoroughly thought through from beginning to end. Great
use of light and shade with the voice. You certainly came into your own in
scene 2 in the argument that felt very real. Even the use of a handbag I
appreciated as these were used a lot at this time, plus it’s a wonderful prop to
play with and keep hands focused instead of just flaying. I particularly like the green dress with the bolero but nice choice of costume and colour throughout. Congratulations. 

Ted Latimer: This was a performance that maybe started a little nervous and
rather quiet especially whilst staged towards the back, but I did notice by each
scene the confidence began to appear and your diction became clearer. Very
handsome and suave, how could Kay keep you dangling?
I really hope you enjoyed this experience enough to keep going. You have
great potential. Well done you on your first part. 
Mary Aldin: I understand this was your first venture in doing a play. This also
was a character that grew in confidence from the off. We really felt your pain
in feeling you’ve missed out on life and maybe turned down opportunities you
now wish you’d taken. This was a great part for you to portray and by the
second half you gave us a very believable testament exonerating Neville.
Even I believed you. I do hope you do more in the future. Well done. 
Audrey Strange: Congratulations on getting the audience on your side from
the beginning. The difference in characters between you and Kay was perfect.
Testament to a good actress and underplayed perfectly. I would have
suggested the use of a handbag during your first scene where you could have
taken a hanky out and just generally had a little bit of business which helps
keep the hands tidy. I liked all your costume style choices, although I thought
the first one was too dark for your colouring and sadly blended with the
curtains at the back but the others were gorgeous and just right and added
the perfect colouring to the set around you. I really enjoyed your performance.
Congratulations. 
Superintendent Battle: What a long wait for you to make your first entrance,
I remember being in the same position with the musicals Pal Joey and Jesus
Christ Superstar. Too much time to let the nerves take over, but not for you. I
enjoyed your very confident performance. You commanded the stage
throughout your scenes and were extremely believable. Only a small stumble
towards the end between yourself and Neville, which I’m sure was ironed out
by the following night. Handled very professionally though. Well done. 
Inspector Leach: A brilliant confident side kick to Battle. Very believable,
good timing and always in the moment. Well done. 
WPC Benson & Mrs Barrett: I understand this was another first adventure
into a play. Great versatility between the two characters. I particularly took
note of you whilst taking notes during the interviews. Your concentration never
wavered.  Both parts well played. Please do continue. Well done. 

COSTUMES
Costumes in the main I felt were good choices and I really do know when you
have a tight budget how difficult it can be and I know everyone has to beg
borrow and steal to look right. Just my opinion of course, but I’m never a fan
of black. Especially with the beautifully coloured set, Black seemed too blocky
and heavy, mostly Mary’s skirt, Battles suit (maybe slightly modern?) and

could have done with a little turn up. Audrey’s first dress too as I mentioned
earlier. My only other slight criticisms were with Royde’s black socks paired
with light brown suit and tan shoes and Teds rather modern shoes with the
dinner suit. Believe me these were minor details and in no way detracted from
my enjoyment.

DIRECTION
Finally I must congratulate your director. Rich MacPherson. You created
some lovely scenes and shaping throughout and obviously had a very clear
understanding of the play and executed it brilliantly. You maintained a great
pace with your actors and cast the play perfectly. I’m sure you had your hand
in every little pie going to make such a good quality production. I really look
forward to seeing more of your work. 
A special mention too to the top quality video clips we could all be teased with
during your publicity period. I actually saw one even before I took this position
and I would have come off the back of that. The program also to be
commended the artwork and graphics do exactly what it says on the tin,
certainly all in the Agatha Christie style. Just the right amount of info inside
too. And lastly the enlightening insight for your audience to see the set being
put together in a time-lapse video. I’m sure this would have definitely
impressed your audience. Brilliant work to all involved. 

I really hope the Portishead Players have gathered from this crit how much I
really did enjoy “Towards Zero”. You have set the bar extremely high and I
now have a benchmark to make further adjudications. 

Thank you again for your hospitality and the backstage tour. Much
appreciated. I look forward to the next time. 

Kind regards 
Mike Purnell

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