Visiting Hour

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Four playlets giving an insight into hospital life during the ‘80’s – poignant yet hilarious, requiring a good range of characters from a cast of eleven performers to a duologue, content of sharp lines and some cruel characterizations.  One perfect hospital set created by Maureen Payne and Margaret Osgood and well painted by Nicky Taylor using an array of medical equipment and appropriate dressing,  the ward with either one bed or two as necessary with smooth changes.  First class finishing touches.  Wardrobe headed by Jac Young  supplied a perfect assortment of bed wear, uniforms, TV crew t-shirts, and some expert plastering! Production moved along with pace, Graham Payne at the helm and also performing.  ‘Show Business’ with eleven characters, showed director (Fleur Sayers) firmly in control of crew (Lyn Ford and Jac Young) performing some terrific back biting whilst trying to make a documentary on the possible world’s first Quadruple Organ Transplant.  Ken Duce played the long suffering patient.  ‘Magic’ showed timid spinster Brenda (Jenny Taylor) being visited by her overpowering work colleague (Meryl Beamont) and husband (Richard Baszczak) who has a passion for bad jokes and tricks.  ‘Going Home’ – conversation between two ladies about to go home - talking out innermost feelings of how it would be with Jac and Lyn Ford working extremely well together on this piece. Finally, ‘Plaster’, with husband Eric (Graham Payne) injured from a car accident is being questioned by wife (Elisabeth Doust) who wonders, how did he come to arrive in Potters Bar minus his trousers! I have not named all the performers but this was a tremendous team effort. Disappointing audience numbers, but those of us who attended had a most entertaining afternoon.

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