Waiting for God

Waiting for God is a play written by Michael Aitkens based on the popular BBC television series from the early 1990s. Diana Trent and Tom Ballard are two spirited residents of the Bayview retirement home near Bournemouth, who spend most of their time running rings around the home’s oppressive manager (Harvey Bains) and his assistant (Jane Edwards). The plays themes challenge the audience’s perception of age and the way in which older people are treated with no thought to their past experiences. The play is a capsule of moments and vignettes based on the high jinks of Diana and Tom.

Helen Madden as Diana was a delight to watch and pitched every caustic comment perfectly and with exquisite comedy timing. Helen is a great actress and this part particularly played to her strengths. Garry Bailey as Tom gave us plenty of feigned dementia moments much to the delight of the audience and in contrast to that of Diana.   Both gave terrific and word perfect performances with just the occasional stumble over words on the plays opening performance.

Dave Whyte as Harvey Bains played a good role as the slimy and out for profit homes manager, the physicality of his performance adapted to the awkwardness of the situations in which he was placed The audience particularly liked his catch phrase of ‘your touching me Jane’ complete with uncomfortable smile.

Amanda Nicolle as assistant Jane was delightfully scatty in her role, again her physical awkwardness of dealing with Diana was lovely to watch, especially when the reality of finding Diana in Toms bed hit home. Her dithering around her love interest Harvey complimented her characters journey when in the end she took control and straddled him dressed in full wedding gown to provide him with the kiss of life.

Lynne James, again another part that had been well cast, played Diana’s Niece Sarah. Her performance in the maternity hospital giving birth was excellent, setting up the scene to allow Helen to give army like instructions followed by a moment of tenderness to hold the newborn baby. This scene allowed a glimpse into seeing the underlying vulnerability of Helen’s character.

Kevin Hughes played Geoffrey Ballard (Tom’s good hearted but slightly boring son) who gave us great insight into his life with his unseen wife Marion.

There was a lovely cameo from Ian Clark as the forgetful Reverend Dennis Sparrow during the wedding scene, with much comedy provided upon the arrival of Emma Finch as the undertaker, complete with full sized coffin.

And finally, Alison Weir completed the cast as the glove-wearing, prostate checking Doctor!

The play had been well directed and cast by first time Little Theatre Director Claire Hall, who I am sure is extremely pleased with the outcome of all of the performers.

The stage was well managed by Vicki Stevens and her backstage crew, scene changes were managed quietly and efficiently. The play itself has numerous scene changes and I did find the constant repetition of the theme music from the middle of the fifth movement of Schubert’s Trout Quintet annoying (the original TV series theme tune). The play itself is written in the style of a TV series with short scenes set across multiple locations. Overall the crew handled of the scene changes very well.

Costumes were appropriate and of the style required for the production, sound was clear and properties sufficient to create the right atmosphere for the scenes.

This was indeed a funny show and the audience were treated to a great night out.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.