When the Cat's Away

This is an unusual double report.  Having performed in two small village halls in November 2016 Pepperpot Players were asked to transfer their play When the Cat’s Away to Shanklin Theatre a year later.

When the Cat’s Away is based on the tv series George and Mildred and written by the original authors.  This comedy was bound to appeal to all those who remembered such a popular show.  Fortunately, the director Peter Farrin did explain to the audiences that it was to be a Pepperpot version rather than a faithful recreation, thus dispelling any possible disappointment as the production unfolded.  However, Mike Chapple as George Roper did indeed sound very much like Brian Murphy and Chrissie Blow was absolutely made for the part of Ethel Pomfrey, Mildred’s snooty sister.  Not only did she manage to look and dress like her, but the disdainful air and little gestures captured the part to perfection.

Faye Farrin was the acid toned Mildred, constantly putting down her poor husband in the approved manner, so it came as quite a surprise when, on telling George that she had booked them both on a holiday to celebrate their wedding anniversary, he unexpectedly revolted and refused to go.  This, of course, was the essence of the plot and the ensuing mayhem and complications.  Ethel and Mildred decide to go away together instead, leaving the husbands to their own devices.  And devices they were.

Humphrey Pomfrey turned out to be a bit of a womaniser, so the rest of the story and the inevitable and predictable outcome was assured.  Steve Watts played Humphrey and must be congratulated on his excellent diction.  There was no dropped voice delivering a punchline and every word could be clearly heard.

The two “lady friends” were called Jennifer and Shirley.  They had suitably contrasting characters, with the feisty blonde ‘Jennifer’ played by Denise Farrow and the introverted, anxious ‘Shirley’, by Jenny Bond.

The set was cleverly-managed with a stairway leading to the bedrooms.  There was even a futon-type bed which, like the set that started its dual-purpose life at the village of Whitwell and had to be adapted to be squeezed onto the mini stage at Niton and still leave room for manoeuvring.  This was, as usual, seamlessly achieved without looking in the least bit contrived.  Set building and adaptation seem to be the forte of the Pepperpots, with many helpers both past and present, who generously rally round year after year to make it all happen on time.

When the Cat’s Away was one of the better productions of this small village group.  It was well presented at every level and there were laughs a plenty from the audiences.

A year later the production was invited to the much larger theatre at Shanklin.  To successfully transfer a production from the cramped facilities of a small village hall to a theatre with a stage four or five times as large, is no mean feat.  There are two major hurdles to overcome plus numerous minor ones most of which Pepperpots managed to overcome with assurance.

The first step was to remodel the set to fit the vast expanse of stage.  In many ways the new set worked better than the original even though it was faithful to the original design.  With less clutter there was more room for manoeuvre. The production was enhanced with a believable house interior and actors now able to use unrestricted and expansive movements so necessary in comedy.

Honours must go to Steve Watts whose clarity of speech was unrivalled not one syllable of his delivery was lost.  All the actors had microphones so could be heard with varying degrees of ease.  On stage it must be remembered not to deliver speeches upstage.  Unlike television thought must begiven to the audience who will not hear if the back of the character is all they see.  Several lines were lost because of the failure to address them to the audience.

Although not a faithful recreation of the George and Mildred show it did indeed succeed admirably in its own right.

A great evening’s entertainment.  An improved set, confident delivery and lovely glossy informative programme all conspired together with the cast to deliver a memorable performance enjoyed by a most appreciative audience.

 

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