Waiting For Gateaux

Farnworth Performing Arts Company production of Waiting For Gateaux by Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood who also did Dirty Dusting, their last production. Focusing on a small cast, this time five. It is set in a hall hired for weight loss and exercise although that purpose is somewhat dubious.

The hall is set with larger-than-life poster of the star pupil Donald who lost a load of weight set Stage Left and a reminder of why they are there. This is unveiled to us during the show and it’s huge. With bench and also stacking chair customary in any hall. Table at the Back Left with mugs and stereo player. Centre Stage is a folding screen which becomes apparent why needed. Ladies’ toilet door Back Stage Right. Downstage Left were various items to help with exercise including large gym ball. Also, a flip chart with information on Stage Right.

Lighting and Sound all added to the production with various tracks picked for scene changes and for movement sequence. Costumes all looked suitable and certain cast members in very ‘out there’ active wear which added to the comedy of the piece. Particularly liked bum bags used to keep snacks in. Hair and make-up all in keeping too. The crew were not listed in the programme, so sorry I cannot mention the Production Manager was Sue Crosby.

Tom Townsend directs and must have had fun with this topic. Familiar to most the urge to have the beach body and perhaps lose a few pounds would resonate with a few - well it did with me. I did have to Google the Scarsdale Diet and yep it exists (who knew?). There were a few prompts and I do wonder if having a prompt isn’t a hindrance and maybe improve your way out of the situation before picking the text back up. This can then often help with keeping the pace up. I wasn’t sure if one of the prompts wasn’t needed and again can put the actor off. It’s a double-edged sword and so hard for the prompter - I feel your pain. That aside, the laughter came in waves and the cast of five worked well together. The laughs from the audience came with knowing and just pure hilarity. The ritual of placing the scales Centre Stage and then stepping onto them like it was a shrine. The end of every class the honk of the car horn to signify the delivery of pizza or chicken Dhansak - so funny. There were times bits of dialogue I missed due to talking over audience laughing or speaking on exiting the stage - just to be aware of. The exercise rep scene was hilarious and well done.  Amongst the laughter and group of friends meeting was a story of real camaraderie and people coming together with a need, which I think came across.

Sasha Zsargo plays Sophie - a not very nice person and Sasha played this well. Coming off as the spoilt princess used to getting what she wants until she meets this group that is. Her world comes tumbling down in more ways than one. I liked that the playwright chose for the audience not to see her reaction to drinking from the water bottle, instead we had to deal with our own reaction and mine was pretty strong I can tell you. Sasha played Sophie feisty and aggressive as the part needed.

Caz Pearson played Maureen the creator of this little group maybe for her own sanity more than the others. Having lost her husband and her daughter living away this is her family and the unrequited love played out with Donald was sweet. The taking things off to get on the scales I can admit to that but taking the hair piece off – OMG – hilarious!

Bryan Mycroft takes on the role of token male Donald who lets slip he has been single for more years than he cares to think. His adoration of Maureen is evident and he defends her at the drop of a hat. His reluctance to go into the female changing rooms because he has PTSD about being in there as a child taken in by his mother. He is actually the only successful one who has lost weight - 12 stone to be exact. He is championed by Raven to ask Maureen out and this is played out all through when finally at the end he succeeds. Bryan looked suitably uneasy at times yet there to stand up for Maureen when needed. The water bottle scene had me squirming. Well played.

Kelsie Partington played Raven. Not that Raven wanted to even be there - she actually ends up helping out the group with her mechanic skills. The wannabe goth and refusing to answer to her real name. Likes to write dark poetry and has not heard of Pam Ayres. What was well played was the hint of something more and then we learn the truth about her family and a tender moment played out with Jackie was well done.

Jackie last but not least was played by Nicola Girling. Larger than life, big and brash character her happy personality hides the pain she is actually going through in more ways than one. The listing of all the diets that are available and how they didn’t work including eating all the slim sachets in one go. Her entrance speech about what she had eaten that day and we are impressed until we find out that’s just breakfast was hilarious. Jackie had the humour and pathos.

What a great subject to write about and be involved in - we can all relate to some part of it and that heightens the comedy for me, whether in shock or recognition at what is happening before our eyes. Thank you, Farnworth Performing Arts Company for the invite from my guest Dawn and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5 Rep

 

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