Wind of Change and Mixed Doubles

TWO ONE-ACT COMEDIES PRESENTED BY ST PETER’S HILL PLAYERS

Show report – Wind of Change

The story line of this play commences with an argument between Barry (Gus Sparrow) and his wife Sadie (Anthea Hardstaff) over the arrangements for a meeting. Barry claims to have no knowledge of these arrangements but Sadie insists otherwise. Sometime later Barry gets together with his young nephew Matt (Philip Wilson) who explains that he wishes to take a gap year from his studies and go travelling with a friend who is the daughter of the local vicar. However Matt has a problem - lack of finance!

Meanwhile the shine has gone off Barry’s experience of retirement but he is sympathetic to Matt’s situation and wishes he could join him. Barry comes up with an idea as to how they might raise the necessary cash and at the same time afford him the experience to satisfy his long held desire to take part in a gambling session – he suggests they organise a “casino night” at which Matt’s friend can demonstrate her pole –dancing skills. Matt agrees and will present a rap number he has been rehearsing.  During the time arrangements are being made for this event, Barry comes in to find his wife hurriedly ending a telephone conversation claiming she unable to continue talking as Barry has arrived home. Barry assumes from this that his wife is having an affair. Tension between Barry and Sadie increases but their discussion concludes with them agreeing things have changed between them since Barry retired and they should plan a holiday together. At this point Penelope (Rosemary Gibson) arrives to offer counselling to Sadie to help her overcome her very embarrassing digestive problem which she finds extremely difficult to discuss. This performance was somewhat flat and needed a greater input of enthusiasm. Perhaps more rehearsal time would have helped bring it alive  

Show report – Mixed Doubles

At the Tennis Club preparations are under way for a quiz night. George (Tony Hine), who has made a career out of running quiz nights since he retired, is to be the quiz master. Everything is organised.  George’s long-suffering wife, Heather (Rosemary Gibson), has prepared all the answer sheets and the flip-chart. Marjorie (Victoria Aves), the club's social secretary, has prepared mountains of food. The only problem is that she sent out the newsletters too late and only a few members have turned up. What is worse, one of them is supreme know-it all, Martin (Jim Snee) who challenges every question that George has set.

 Normal proceedings were somewhat interrupted when school teacher, Mrs. Pat Pendleton (Dawn Cadwallader) arrived, accompanied by two new young members of the Club, Rebecca (Freya Gerassimov) and Sally (Kalandria Gray) who were able to provide the correct answers to some difficult questions. There were also things going on in the background and secret longings were brought into the open. In this tense atmosphere, after some mental jousting, outright mayhem occurred, which was very cleverly directed by Lesley Sparrow, after which the meeting disbanded.

Personally, I’ve never been able to get excited about taking part in quiz nights but then they don’t all end in such well- choreographed scraps as this one.

 

 

   

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