We'll Always Have Paris

Enville Street Dramatic Society have an uncanny ability of being able to select plays for performance that have a wide appeal and epitomise the feel-good factor and “We’ll Always Have Paris” is no exception.  Wendy Hemming’s production of this delicate romp brings together three Boarding School friends living in Paris meeting up to reminisce. The friends gather at the home of Nancy¸ played with tongue in cheek delight by Carey Esthop, still demonstrating the organising ability of a former headmistress but also showing a more caring side when the occasion arises. In Anna, played by Sally Kent achieving brilliantly the burgeoning transformation from shy and retiring to confident and independent woman. The exact opposite to Nancy is Rachel or should that be Raquel (It is Paris after all!), played by Sandra Harrold, a man-hungry lady of certain age on the loose. Sandra took advantage of some great comedy moments to great effect.

Simon Cooper played Charlot, the flirtatious French handyman with tremendous confidence. Simon has an engaging stage presence and a very effective and consistent French accent, capturing and revealing the character beautifully. The villain of the piece is Andrea Gray’s Madame Boussiron who makes no bones about showing her contempt for the English enclave with an extremely convincing and listenable to French vocabulary and accent.

As the play progresses we learn more about the lives and loves of our English trio – the things they have and don’t have in common, their practical talents and their long suffering influences on their lives, this is brought into play in the second act, when following Nancy’s unfortunate tumble down the stairs, Anna reveals her caring side as she comes to Nancy’s aid.

A simple but utterly practical set constructed by Kev Pritchard, Jack Wellings and members and friends of the Society, worked superbly alongside sympathetic lighting and sound from George Deeley and Tom Ruff all under the control of Stage Manager Steve Taylor.

This delightful play left you with a warm feeling inside, not only from the subject matter but also from watching affecting and uplifting performances from a great cast with the support of an expert production team.

Thanks so much to everyone at Enville Street Dramatic Society for their kind invitation and warm welcome.  I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.