Wanted One Body!

St. Hilda’s Entertainers always produce enviable sets, designed and made by the company and once again the main curtains opened to reveal another well-designed one, this time the lounge in a country home. Appropriate furniture and props completed the scene.

Mike’s direction was good and cast movements around the stage from sofa to chairs etc; was natural.  Their entrances and exits were on time and the technical side of the production was very good with the lighting and sound adding to the ambience, especially in the thunderstorm.

In the role of Faith, Paula Gething was perhaps a little too measured in her dialogue, (maybe that was what Mike wanted?) but it was clear and she came across well as the rather difficult employer of the small band of staff.
Rachel Barnes was first class as Mabel. As the maid she displayed the due deference required of someone of her station and she brought out the humour in her dialogue superbly. Her facial expressions were brilliant!
As the Chauffeur Ted, Neale Winter was aggressive and resentful and he acted the part strongly. It wasn’t easy to see why a rather refined young woman like Anne, who was played confidently by Affy Harris, would have had much in common with someone less socially adept - perhaps it was the attraction of opposites.
The second sister Hope, an imperious character, was absolutely safe in the hands of Laura Allen who gave her usual accomplished performance with wonderful projection.
Dr Brown was a perfect part for Steve Smith who tends to deliver his dialogue slowly. Playing a foreigner worked really well and I think it was one of the best performances I’ve seen him give.
I understand it was Roslyn Young’s first straight play and she acquitted herself well, making the most of the comedy in her role as Agnes the cook.
With a sombre demeanour and measuring up possible future ‘customers’ at every opportunity, Antony Doggwiler made a mournful Mr Sorrell and the audience loved him.
That leaves the two young men who were the linchpin of the play. Their timing was impeccable and they worked splendidly as a double act.
I know Luke of course, he always gives a praiseworthy performance and his diction is commendable, not a word is missed when he’s on stage and this play was no exception.
What a find you have in the newcomer Robert Garner! His performance was faultless, reacting to the dialogue like a seasoned performer, and he appeared completely relaxed as Mickleby.
In their respective roles of Blundell and Mickleby the solicitors they were impressive.
They had an enormous number of lines to learn which flowed smoothly, cues were picked up quickly (except for once – I don’t miss much I’m afraid – but that didn’t mar their outstanding double act) – and the comedy came across brilliantly. Well done chaps!

The play itself took a little time to get going, but this always seems to be the case with plays (rather than musicals) and a comment I make frequently, but once it did it was very funny, kept a good pace and included a number of almost pantomime moments which we in the audience loved.

Costumes all appeared to be from a similar period and were suitable as such.

Your programme is attractively presented with a attention grabbing front cover and I trust you will enter in the poster/programme competition.

Thank you for your hospitality on the evening and for inviting me to see the play. I thoroughly enjoyed it and St. Hilda’s really did ‘entertain’!

Enjoy the Summer and good luck with the pantomime which I look forward to seeing in December.

E. Gloria Smith

N.O.D.A South East Regional Representative – District 12

 
 

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