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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Anyone for happy families?
Christmas cheer from
Stephen Downing (director, left), Viv Cole (playing Belinda), Richard
Taylor, (Neville), Hilary Thompson (Phyllis), David Claridge, (Clive),
Vilma Wilson (Rachel), Matt Preece (Eddie) and Kerena Taylor (Pattie,
seated). Season's Greetings, The Nonentities Rose Theatre, Kidderminster **** I recently discovered that Sir Alan
Ayckbourn is the second most performed playwright after William
Shakespeare and it so easy to see why. The Nonentites at The Kidderminster Rose Theatre
as a rule perform Ayckbourn very well and their latest production of
Season's Greetings is no exception. The sell out crowd on a Tuesday
evening is also proof of that. Having seen several Ayckbourn plays it is my
belief that you must have excellent direction to make it a success and
that this is exactly what Steven Downing has done with this production.
With multiple characters, a main plot, plus several sub plots and
various entrances and exits a director must be on the ball so that
Ayckbourn's farce does not become, well, farcical. Downing has done this
brilliantly! In a nutshell you have nine characters all made up of family and their friends, with children unseen in the bacground, all celebrating a festive family Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. What ensues is nose bleeds, romps under the
Christmas tree, tears and quite possibly the worst and at the same
time funniest puppet show you will ever see on the stage. Kerena Taylor playing Pattie and Matt Preece playing the out-of-work and uncaring Eddie The ensemble cast performed incredibly well
together with Chris Clarke's portrayal of Uncle Bernard (creator of the
16 act puppet show) as a particular highlight. Clarke actually performed
on a par with the professional actor that I saw a few years ago in the
same role, his characterisation was flawless throughout and the puppet
show routine was the most hysterical part of the play. Although Uncle Bernard's character interacts with
most actors on stage, the partnership between him and Uncle Harvey
played by Patrick Bentley (the mad uncle with an obsession with guns and
knives) was very good. Uncle Harvey's disgust and antagonising
commentary throughout his puppet show rehearsal brought the house down. Vivienne Cole and Richard Taylor played the
married couple of Belinda and Neville. Cole came across well as the
bored and frustrated housewife and Taylor shone every time he delivered
a line. Matt Preece and Kerena Taylor portrayed out of
work Eddie and pregnant Pattie. Preece performed the uncaring Eddie well
and Taylor played the part of supposedly down trodden Pattie more
dominantly than I have seen before but nevertheless it still worked. Vilma Wilson played the role of spinster Rachel
excellently and David Claridge played her dashing suitor Clive
seductively. A part which has the least stage exposure is
Phyllis, the long suffering wife of Uncle Bernard which personally I
think is a shame. Especially when you get an actress as good as Hilary
Thompson who's few moments on stage are performed so well, you're left
wanting more. The Nonentites have done it again – a thoroughly
brilliant production and just in time for Christmas. Sold out until Saturday – returns only.
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