What A Wonderful Life

This was a clever modern adaptation of that old Christmas favourite, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ written, directed and produced by CATS very own Julie Daniel. In this version George Bailey and the story of his encounter with guardian angel Clarance Odbody are updated from 1943 to 2023. To add an extra twist and following on from their success of last year’s ‘Aunty Scrouge, A Backwards Christmas Carol,’ it was presented as a radio play in Catworth’s splendid, local church, St Leonards.

The set by Paul Goodyer and Mike Brazel who were assisted with the construction by Steven Cawdell, Jim Daniel and Scott Millington, was a raised plinth in front of the Church Knave upon which a large box representing the radio studio, which was illuminated when the play was being ‘recorded’ with a neon sign. At the front of the stage three radio style microphone stands were placed to simulate a radio show recording, with various chairs across the back and sides of the stage for the 13 actors to sit, who entered via the knave. It was, once everybody was in place, a very crowded stage. Music and Sound effects were provided by Jim Daniel with some sound effects carried out by various cast members. Lighting by Mike Brazel completed the scene, in particular by giving Clarance his blue wash whenever he spoke.

The actors were reading the script as you would do in a good old fashioned radio play, but they were all well drilled and had obviously put in the requisite rehearsal time to familiarise themselves with it, so it flowed along at good pace, and we were soon all concentrating on the story.

Chris Chaney was a very plausible George Bailey who handled the emotional rollercoaster of successful and contented businessman to a man in the depths of despair, wishing he had never been born with just the right amount of emotion. He worked very well with Paul Goodyer as Clarance his guardian angel, whose character by contrast is both kindly, but keen to earn his wings.

Pippa Ellson was well matched as his wife, Mary and the villain of the piece Mr Potter, who is trying to get his hands on Bailey’s Savings and Loan, is played by Steve Kaye, oozing vitriol towards George. He also plays Mr Welsh/Harry and Sam

All actors except the three main parts, George, Clarance and Mary play several parts. So well done to Jayne Kaye – Josephine and Fran; Anne Allured – Rose, Laura and Grace; Scott Millington – Rupert/Terry/Barman and Gabriel; Liz Murphy – Aunt Bea and Presenter; Rachel McCreath – Tannoy/Bobby/Edwina/Secretary/Person 1, Debra Maddex – Mrs Gower/Maria, Vlad Sljapic- Martini/Person 2, Nick Graham – Mr Campbell/Person 3 and Dick Martin Peter/Person 2.

As a radio play it worked extremely well although the stage was crowded with a such a large cast, which made it difficult for actors to get in position in front of the ‘mics.’ These were only props and not live and some actors who couldn’t get out in time did say their lines in situ. It didn’t really affect the pace, but it did look a little awkward from a visual point of view. In contrast to Clarance who was positioned far stage right and shared one with George, which worked well.

Julie Daniel’s script was sharp with some very clever touches, such as showing the passing of time with, ‘So that’s Christmas 2013.’ immediately followed by ‘That’s Christmas 2014,’ etc. Clever!

CATS is an excellent example of grass roots theatre society, with the added benefit of a writer in Julie Daniel who thinks outside the box and comes up with some brilliant ideas to suit a society with a limited catchment area and limited resources.  She is certainly the leading light of the society with this production as she both Directed and Produced it. So doing something unusual like this radio play is a very clever way of standing out from the crowd.

Always a pleasure to visit and see what they have come up with, even to a spooky churchyard on a dark, damp cold November night. Keep up the good work CATS!

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