Trivial Pursuits

As always it’s such a pleasure to come to The Theatre in the Hut. Thank you for the  lovely warm welcome (especially Liz x) and nice to team up with Graham and Ann  our national Vice President from NODA on the same night.  

So Trivial Pursuits. A play I knew nothing about and was not familiar with the  author at all. Well done Will on introducing us to this. An extremely well written play  which gives us every ingredient to make a rather lovely cake ideal for a summer  barbecue evening, but when even the barbecue can’t get lit I think we all knew  exactly how this evening was going to go. … badly!  

So much petty intrigue, back stabbing, name calling, blackmail and rather large  egos of a small local Amateur Dramatic Society are hilariously brought to life. One  thing I’ve always enjoyed about your group is how well and adaptable your actors  are. Excellent at comedy but can turn us on a sixpence when it comes to  heartbreaking moments of sadness. This play played to the strengths of your  actors and therefore I thought an excellent choice. What made it even more  poignant for me was, as in most am dram groups, we could all recognise someone  from your well drawn out characters.  

The first act sets the story up brilliantly - Nick the director is going to announce the  next musical but could blackmail, bribery or other means persuade his decision at  the summer barbecue organised by Nicks wife Roz. Although the script is very well  written with plenty of laughs in tow along the way, it is thanks to the talent and  experience of the cast who bring these words to life and timing is everything. I  know how difficult this can be in rehearsal when you’ve said the lines many times  and everyone knows them so therefore the laughs only come when put in front of  an audience for the first time. It then becomes very easy to make the characters  larger than they need to be in order to get those laughs in rehearsal but I didn’t feel  this happened in this case I felt the director maybe kept close tabs on this and  almost every character was played for real.  

Set and Design  

As usual this didn’t disappoint. We knew exactly where we were and everything  placed perfectly so as the blocking and direction could easily move around the  stage. The brick wall looked brilliant and the lighting showed this off to full  potential. The barbecue and the bar used to their full with space around each so as  it never looked over crowded. If I could nit pick anything it would have been the  hanging string of lights never really came into their own. I’m sure they could have  been a nice effect at the beginning of the latter scenes as it was getting darker, on their own and bringing the main lights up slowly as characters took their places.  (just a tiny thing) 

Costumes 

This was probably one of the easier plays to costume but I must say a lot of  thought and care had gone into the choices. The colours were a real feast for the  eyes. I felt they really added to the set dressing.  

Direction  

A huge congratulations on what was your directorial debut. It’s so obvious the  more I have got to know the group that there is a tight nit bond when it comes to  putting everything together. This really comes across the footlights. You cast it  extremely well and for the most part the pace was cracking. My only niggle would  be when we changed from one area to another the cues could have just been  picked up a little bit sharper. Once the scenes were up and running the pace was  great. The directing of the action was extremely fluid and not once did I think there  was any bad blocking or upstaging. On such a small stage this is no mean feat.  You certainly bought out the comedy but also the pathos of the piece this is where  I think your own strong acting skills came to the fore. Congratulations to you Will, I  look forward to further work from you.  

Teddy  

You had me smiling from ear to ear all the way through. Not once did you lose  character. You made every line count and were extremely convincing. I’ve met  several Teddys in my time almost every club has one. Great comedy timing and  great expressions throughout. Some of those one liners were priceless and the end  finale was certainly worth its weight in Gold. Really enjoyable.  

Nick  

A good strong actor. I so felt your pain and the stress that was being piled onto  you, it was actually making me sweat! Good delivery of those comedy and  sarcastic lines and kept up a fantastic pace throughout. I always enjoy your air of  confidence we as an audience feel very safe with you. Great characterisation.  

Roz  

The organiser of the summer barbecue and obviously the backbone in yours and  Nicks marriage. You made us feel like you were the one trying to keep all the balls  juggling in the air. You remained unflappable until the discovery of the indiscretion  of husband with Jessica. We so felt your pain and we all wanted to cheer when  you delivered the suitcase not for yourself to move out but for hubby to shift out.  Just a small note (maybe for props) but it was so obvious the suitcase was empty  by how easy you lifted it. Would have been quite funny to see some of his shirts  hanging out of it as though you’d just thrown everything in. Just a little detail.  It really felt like you were enjoying your first outing with The Wayfayers let’s hope  there are many more. 

Derek  

You certainly won us over as the emotional weakling. It was so funny how  everyone who’d flocked around you but as soon as Deidre was mentioned a few  times they flew away as fast as they could. It’s so easy to drop the energy when  the character is downbeat as Derek was but I’d have just liked a bit more energy  on your projection. You were just a bit quiet at times but one thing that was your  strength was your comedy timing. You got every laugh. I felt you knew just how to  deliver them. Brilliant.  

Mona  

What a diva! Loved her. Great part for this actress. You gave us a great confidence  we certainly relaxed with you. Your passion of getting Westside Story to the stage  no matter what it took really shone through. I really enjoy seeing your  performances and how great to show off your dancing/choreography skills. That  final number was just such a joy and totally unexpected. Well done to you and  Gabby.  

Paul  

This is a part that could easily have disappeared into the background but you  certainly weren’t going to let that happen. Good stage presence and what I liked  about you was even if you weren’t part of the action or dialogue you still  maintained a strong focus throughout. Good believable interaction with all the  characters. I really liked Paul. Real sweetie.  

Deidre  

We waited quite a while for Deirdre to arrive but you certainly made an impact  when you arrived with Eddie. We couldn’t wait to see the reaction when you and  Derek got together. The awkwardness was very believable between you both. You  showed us you still had feelings for Derek even if it wasn’t love. Your caring side  really shone through. A really nice thought through performance.  

Joyce  

The once talented, but now a bit of a lush actress, was a wonderful part for you. I’d  love to have seen your Hello Dolly! I think quite a few of us could see ourselves in  you. Getting to a certain age where all those wonderful parts start disappearing,  I’ve considered turning to drink myself. As usual from you a good rounded  performance. Always a great team player.  

Jessica  

Oooh what a minx. I must say you looked stunning so completely right for Jessica.  Nicely acted throughout. Congratulations to you also on the choreography for the  end number. Great team work from you and Kat. A showstopper indeed! Well  done. 

Eddie  

Well done on such amazing energy. I did struggle a little with the characterisation  and movements as Eddie did feel a bit too caricatured for me, but hey ho the  audience were with you and laughing along. You are certainly a versatile actor as  this was completely different to your last two parts with The Wayfayers.  

This really was a wonderful nights entertainment and you certainly serve your  community to the highest level. I can’t wait for the next one.  

Sending best wishes to all.  

Mike Purnell x

 

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