LAST TANGO IN LITTLE ST.HELENS & A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE SWIFT FAMILY

This was my first ever visit to see The Unnamed Players and my first visit to St. Thomas’ Church and so I really didn’t know what to expect!  As my wife and I entered the church; the hall was packed to capacity; so much so that when we were escorted to our seats (on the front row), we could so easily been part of the cast. 
The evening involved two one act plays both produced and directed by Enid Pennington BEM. 
The second play “A Day in the Life of the Swift Family” was not only produced and directed by Enid, but was also written by this young and very talented 94 year old!
Last Tango in Little St.Helens was written by David Tristam. The play commenced with an Am Dram Society holding its Annual General Meeting. The society is in deep trouble, membership has dwindled to just four - audiences aren't much bigger and if they don't come up with some “rent money” soon, they're going to be thrown out of their venue. Gordon ‘The Chairman’ suggests to his captive audience... "There's only one thing that sells tickets these days - Sex!" 

Philip Riley played the part of Gordon, Chairman, Director, Actor and general factotum figure, who, in an attempt to save the society decides to write a play the likes of which has never been seen or heard before!  The play has a massive risqué twist, one which involves Margaret, played by Vicki Doherty ‘revealing all’ on stage! We are also introduced to Bernard, a ‘dour character’ played by Tommy Leonard; Stage Manager, Set Builder and because of the lack of membership, a reluctant actor.  To complete the cast we had Pauline Doyle playing the part of Joyce, Society Secretary, Actress and musical buff, she is bent on the society doing ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ even though the society has only four people to perform on stage, none of whom can sing!  Guess what...the risqué play is a massive success; tickets go like ‘hot cakes’ and the society survive to fight another day!

A Day in the life of the Swift Family was originally written by Enid in 2011 for St Helens Council Heritage Weekend. At that time, St Helens Council was asking for a ‘war time project’ to be written and performed. The play looks back on the hardship and suffering endured by ordinary families (especially the Swift Family) during the Second World War and the work done by the Scouts, Guides and Volunteers as ARP Wardens. 
The cast of seven included Linda Jefferies who played Mrs Linda Swift,  Eric Lawton Linda’s husband Mr E Swift. Jamie Pennington played the part of John Swift the son, and Jean Newman played the part of Clair Swift the daughter. To complete the Swift Family, we had Geoff Dancer playing the Grandad. The cast was completed with Andrea Molyneux who played the part of a neighbour and Carol Harris who played the part of Mrs Brown, an ARP Recruitment Officer. 
There were no ‘stars’ on show in either play, no leading ladies, no leading men...just two sets of actors, intent on acting their hearts out, giving of their best in an attempt to entertain those present and ‘ENTERTAIN THEY DID!  What more can one ask!!! 
Plus, there were no fancy lighting rigs, no elaborate sound equipment, in fact no stage...did that matter...NO; this was amateur theatre in its purest form and the capacity audience loved every minute of it!!!!  The first play had obviously been ‘tweaked’ to relate to all things St Helens...and the mention of local landmarks, local industry was met with such enthusiasm from those present, ‘Oh yes do you remember’ ‘Oh I spent many a hour there’ ‘I used to go there on my way home from school’...... all these comments were infectious, moving, it was just so ‘REAL’!
Then, at the interval, the glass doors that formed the backdrop to both plays and which separated the Church Hall from the main body of the Church were open and the entire audience where invited to move from ‘hall to church’ for a superb buffet and drinks provided by the Ladies of St Thomas’ Church!
At the end of the second play we were introduced to Miss Lauren Molyneux who led us in a selection of wartime songs...a fitting end to our evening.
The only down side to this production was that it was only ‘showing for one night’....I was so glad my wife and I were available to attend!
Thank you so much for the inviting us both, thank you so much for your welcome, your hospitality and we really do look forward to coming back in the future to see your next production! 
 
J

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.