Trivial Pursuits

Trivial Pursuits a play performed by St Ambrose Players, at St Ambrose Hall 4 All, Moss Lane, Leyland on Friday, 9th August, 2024.

Trivial Pursuits is a hilariously penned play by the Welsh Playwright Frank Vickery. Frank started writing plays for Amateur Theatre whilst working as a ‘bus conductor’… before he took up writing full time.  This play centres around a Summer’s evening barbecue organised by the Trealaw and District Operatic Society in conjunction with the eagerly anticipated announcement, from the society’s business manager Nick, of their next production!  Anyone who has been remotely involved in Amateur Theatre will recognise the bitchy back-stabbing, surely not; the attempts to influence the audition panel, unheard of… and the manoeuvring or angling for a role … heaven forbid that ever happens … but, unbeknown to each and all, Nick has already started the ‘skullduggery’ by promising a ‘different show’ and the ‘leading roles’ to four different people ...‘cue the impending drama’!  This is a behind the scenes, comedic look at the world of ‘am-dram’ with infidelity, sex and intrigue to the fore, told through the antics of some hilariously funny characters. From start to finish, I chuckled, I raised the odd eyebrow or two, I even heard the odd groan, but what I was no wiser about when the final curtain came in … was how to erect a TV ariel or light a barbecue! 

The Production Team … I always find it interesting when you see a play, where ‘amateur actors’ are being asked to play ‘amateur actors’ … do they play themselves, do they think of someone they know who may ‘fit the bill’ or do they create their own thought-out character!  Well, the task of bringing this story and those characters to life was placed in the safe hands of Liz Proctor (Director) and Dot Pilkington (Assistant Director) and what a good job they made of it!  Loved all the characters created, I could even put names to some who I thought I already knew, not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing!  We had a great cast, with no weak links, all of whom looked well-rehearsed and ‘up for the task ahead’.  As said previously, loved the characters created, loved the comedy and the pathos which were brought to the fore and well directed.  

The Cast … there is little or no doubt that the success of this production wasn’t down to an individual, but to the entire team/cast just giving us their all, and when that happens it’s difficult to start suggesting someone was better than someone else, although, never one to sit on the fence’ I will take the opportunity later, to give a ‘shout out’ to my favourite character!  As the production progressed, this well-rehearsed cast, were able to show us the many different, quirky sides and talents of these varied yet recognisable characters… like the flamboyant, strident, forceful lead, ‘Teddy’ played ever so well by Frank Duxbury.  Frank brought energy and enthusiasm to this role, a role which, if you read his programme notes he found quite difficult to portray.  Suitably understated, with good stage presence and great comedic timing, Frank did a great job, be proud sir!  Carole Unitt took on the role of the once talented, well meaning ‘lush’, who is partial to the ‘odd glass of Vino’. Another blessed with great stage presence and comedic timing, I just loved the way the character as the production progressed, plus, loved the rendition of the leading lady number … great job Carole!  ‘Derek’ the pathetic, loveable, BORING… love interest of Deidre was played with great aplomb by David White.  David is a very watchable actor, who always commits to the role presented. Another with stage presence aplenty … loved his line “She was gone a week before I realised, she was missing’ reference to Deirde… the wife! Congrats David good job!  ‘Deidre’, the wife, was played ever so well by Louise Taylor.  Well cast, loved the energy and the attack… loved the lines ‘What a fart’ … ‘What a boring fart’…. sorry David!  Sarah White, took on the role of ‘Mona’, the bitchy, blackmailing choreographer.  You always get ‘what it says on the tin’ with any character played by Sarah. Great stage presence, suitably snidey with her storytelling, well done Sarah.  Alison Griffiths-Barnes took on the role of ‘Roz’ wife of Nick the Director and sister to Joyce. Again, you always get a great character with anything that’s thrown at Alison.  Great diction, didn’t miss a word… possibly my favourite couple of lines … from Derek and Roz … Derek … ‘Shall we go on a World cruise” … Roz’s response “I’d rather go somewhere else” … just loved it, well done Alison.  Jonny Holmes played ‘Nick’ the Director, husband to Roz.  This is Jonny’s second year with St Ambrose and was suitably cast and did a great job keeping the story together. Worked well with all the cast. If I can be very very very picky … just felt the character was a little to ‘laid back’ whilst trying to keep all those secrets, perhaps a little more ‘stress’ could have been quite funny, but this is just me thinking out loud … well done Jonny, good job!  Shelia Kenny took on the role of ‘Pearl’ the ever so fraught Treasurer of the ‘Trealaw and District Operatic Society’. Shelia was able to ‘show off’ the softer side of Pearl’s character really well… hence we all loved her, yet she was so able to show her concern for the state of the society finances and its future. Without doubt the ‘most normal’ of the bunch… great job Shelia. Lydia Elsden took on the role of ‘Jessica’… the ‘mischief maker’.  Looked totally comfortable throughout, used her voice and mannerisms to create just the right character (what a flirt), looked the part, good stage presence … congrats Lydia be proud!   Last, certainly not least… we had ‘Eddie’ our TV obsessed eccentric played with energy and flair by Fraser Bruce. Watchable, likeable and although not the biggest of roles… the one who had the audience in stiches whenever and wherever he appeared … be proud Fraser.

Favourite Funny Line ...  I can’t remember who said it or to who… “I work at Easy lay” …” Is that a brothel”.
Favourite Character … really was difficult, but I’m going to plump for David White’s interpretation of the ‘boring fart’ that was ‘Derek’.  I’ve seen David take on a lot of roles in the past, but this one just seemed effortless!  He spends long periods of time in the background either not saying anything or comatose … no matter where he was, he never looked uninterested nor out of character which isn’t always easy… well done David!

Staging/Tech … I may sound like a broken record… but when is there ever a ‘bad set’ on view here at St Ambrose! Built in house by a team of ‘wizards’ led by Graham Forrest (Stage Manager/Set Designer along with Paul Gregson – Designer/Set Painter) and a Construction Team that includes Graham, Paul, Steven Barnes, Martin Dempsey, Gordon Manley and Tony Stevens.  Stephen Porter did a great job with Sound and Lighting ... well done guys, as always, first class!

Costumes … were amazing, enhancing the production so much … under the watchful eye of Liz Proctor and Jean Lee and cast members…  Props … being looked after by Lauren Twist were quality/used well and again enhanced the production.

I think I would be right in suggesting that the enthusiastic applause at the finale given by an almost full Hall’s 4 All audience, suggested this was another production appreciated by everyone in attendance. Just before closing, can I just enthuse a little about the final bows… just loved the ‘simple’ yet effective way the bows were set up and delivered by cast members just holding into the ‘pole/stick’ … simple, different and yet so very effective… congrats to whoever thought that one up, probably Liz and Dot but not sure!

Thank you so much for inviting Susan and I, its always a pleasure to come to St Ambrose, already looking forward to the panto… thanks again, see you all soon!

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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