Archives - July 1995
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Archives - July 1995 |
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Produced by Mary Frost
THE PLAY
Modern-day comedy, set in a garden. Business manager Nick, of the Trealaw and District Operatic Society, is about to announce next season's production at a barbecue held at his house. The snag is that several people have holds over him - and are tightening the screws over the group finances, his mother's behaviour in her old people's home and so on. To appease them, he has to promise a different show and the lead role to each.
While Nick wrestles with some difficult choices, the party goes on in true bitchy, back-biting luvvie style. Derek mopes around pining for ex-wife Deirdre, Joyce drinks as much as usual, sultry Jessica uses her charms on Nick while his wife Roz gets increasingly annoyed and camp Teddy burns himself quite badly.
All in all, it is a bad moment to have to let down most of the group - but Nick sides with Derek, who is prepared to pay all the costs for Sweet Charity, as long as Deirdre gets the lead. Deirdre is not so easily bribed, though - and refuses the part. Monumental sulks are thrown, Nick is ostracised, Jessica tells Roz she slept with Nick and Derek attempts to kill himself by jumping off the house roof. It takes some time and a lot of diplomacy to smooth out the ruffled feelings, but everything settles down in the end...with Teddy taking the role of Charity!
FROM THE GROUP
This play was ideal for the time of year. It was set in a
suburban back garden where a barbecue was being held by a musical society
chairman who is just about to announce the decision on their next production.
Jealousies abound amongst the various warring factions, from the unfaithful
chairman to the penny-pinching treasurer. A glamour-puss newcomer who will do
anything for a starring role and the alcoholic fading former leading lady are at
loggerheads whilst limp wristed Teddy is beset with worries about getting too
old to act. One member of the group turns up with her toy boy only to be
followed by her boring suicidal husband.
The stage is thus set for conflicts to flare up to enormous proportions.
Much more difficult than we had thought: because of the interacting
conversations taking part simultaneously on different parts of the stage, we
found it hard going. What should have been snappy dialogue was sometimes a
little slow.
Our saving grace was the wonderful set created by our stage crew. It is still
one of my favourite sets consisting of a back wall of a house (painstakingly
painted brick by brick by Mike) complete with terrace, french windows and window
boxes. We had real patio blocks and fake grass, flowers and patio furniture
including a super garden swing seat. This bright set was complemented by the
colourful summer clothes of the cast.
Mary - Producer
Press photo L-R Standing: Ann Burfoot (Mona), Steve
Wakelin (Eddie), Philippa Liassides (Roz) and Karen Brown (Pearl)
Seated: Ken Frost (Derek), Cheree Hill (Deirdre), Judith Greenfield (Joyce) and
Bob Wakelin (Teddy)
Alternative press photo
Dress rehearsal: Roz (Philippa) and Pearl (Karen) watch
the barbecue while Teddy (Bob) and Joyce (Judith) enjoy a drink
Dress rehearsal: Derek (Ken) is ignored by the ladies -
Roz, Pearl, Mona (Ann) and Jessica (Lyndsey Kite)
PREVIEWS & REVIEWS
Previews from the Worthing Herald, July 1995
Review from the Worthing Herald, 28th July 1995
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