Who Cares?

“Who Cares?” is the second new Tom Casling play that I have had the pleasure to attend this month, it’s always good to see something new and great to see how well supported it was audience wise. Based on many true life experiences this story focuses on the recently bereaved George and his struggles to find his way in life; he has many people who want to help him but is their help in his best interests?

Staging was centred on the living room of George which was well dressed with an array of household items and an additional raised performance area which served as the basis for the other locations including a park, office and Magistrates court. It was well lit and the music choices between scenes complimented the story. Unfortunately there were a few prompts which slowed the pace down somewhat but these may have been down to first night nerves, it didn’t however stop this from being a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

In the pivotal role of George, Malcolm Quinn gave his character warmth and believability and made the most of the laughs his character’s antics gave the audience, I loved George’s first entrance on a mobility scooter, very funny. As his son and daughter in law Dave and June, Gordon Bond and Annette Morris gave confident and convincing performances, their frustration at the antics of George was tangible. Dave’s long suffering friend Jackie was played by Tom Casling and he was the perfect sidekick presenting an endearing and loveable character. The local Policeman, PC642 Wolfe, was well portrayed by Peter Wilson, I thought his characterisation was very good remaining completely focused whilst hilarity ensued around him. Others who offer care for George’s wellbeing are the local priest and also a social worker; Clive Lancaster gave us a stoic Irish priest keen to get George looked after by the church and Jan Foster portrayed the Swedish Mrs Smartskalle, a policy led, box ticking support worker. Both characters were well played with good accents and characterisation. The final carer in George’s life is his wife’s best friend Mavis whose attentions he has avoided for a while; Susan Haswell gave a credible portrayal of this role as someone who genuinely cared. Other supporting characters who played part of George’s story were a Samaritan, Magistrate, Clerk and Prosecutor all well portrayed by Grahame Forster, Jean Ord, Alexander Morris and Lee Passmoor respectively.

This was an enjoyable production which flowed well and had moments of tenderness as well as many laughs. Congratulations to Lee and his team.

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