NORTH ESSEX THEATRE GUILD
2011-2012
Gerry - Immediately the play
started David Slater made us aware of the character’s apparent feeling of self
importance. His chatter at the beginning
was overwhelming and forceful. A
self-made man who did not suffer fools gladly and dismissed, what he saw as
petty irrelevances, the indications of family upsets. They made him angry. It was a pity that David kept his voice
always at the same level which was that of shouting and did not allow for more
light and shade in his delivery.
Movement was good and his expression and attitude well defined.
DIRECTION - It is never easy to ensure that all the
audience are able to see all the action when the performance is in the round,
however the positioning of the furniture and the manner in which the cast
varied their positions particularly when seated around the large table
generally overcame any such
difficulties. At the beginning Glyn’s back remained motionless for just a
little too long, I thought. The
atmosphere was well established to allow the audience to feel inclusive (flies
on a wall). Movement was easy and pace
overall good and varied although it did seem to slow a little toward the end.
Ayckbourn used the mechanism of taking the audience through periods of time
which were not in chronological order in the mode of Priestley and this makes
it essential for the audience to be able to follow the sequence if the play is
to be understood and the themes appreciated.
The positioning of the various episodes and the well organised lighting
indicated the close direction required to enable an audience’s
appreciation. The tensions and
relationships of the characters were clearly pointed without being overplayed
whilst the one man restaurant staff demonstrated the overlying normality of
this birthday celebration with humour. This was both an interesting and
enjoyable evening. Thank you.
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