Reviews

 

No Dinners For Sinners:

The Sentinel, May 2009

 

Given that businessman Jim Watt seems to exchange wives more often than he has hot dinners Anthony Simcock did extremely well to keep the No Dinners For Sinners hero up-to-date. Edward Taylor's play could have proven too complex for Endon Dramatic Society, which was presenting the first UK amateur premier, but at the village hall last night they brought the comedy to life with energy, vigour and convincing humour. After arranging to host a dinner party for his righteous and religious boss, Watt tries to avoid awkwardness by asking his live-in girlfriend to pose as his wife. But from a seemingly simple question comes a serious amount of chaos… and far too many wives to handle! The chaos of the play could easily have slipped over into real life when it was announced that Leigh Bangs was unable to play the role of girlfriend Helen, but production co-ordinator Pam Shufflebotham stood firm as a last minute understudy. Using a script throughout and adhering to no costume changes, Pam was still able to bring the character to life and for this credit must be given. The play only asks for a small cast and while several prompts were needed the opening night was well received. Val Nicholls was constantly amusing in her role as rough and ready tattooed cleaner/first wife Edna, while Samantha Rushton brought contrast to the stage as Jim's assistant/third wife Terri. Paul West and Yvonne Holford did well as the American guests.

 

Holiday Snap:

The Sentinel. May 2010

 

BRITS abroad have always been a source of comic potential. John Chapman and Michael Pertwee's play, performed by Endon Dramatic Society, is an engaging comedy set in a luxurious time-share villa in Portugal. The farce ensues when two adulterous couples turn up, all of them keen to keep their extra-marital shenanigans a secret.

The double booking is the fault of company rep commander Chittenden, (Nigel Dunn), a befuddled expat in cream loafers. As the confusion escalates, Chittenden's partiality to generous helpings of gin increases his bewilderment. The identity-swapping couples provide plenty of innuendos from the start. References to 'touching up' the décor and 'whacking his balls about' on the golf course were relished by the enthusiastic audience. Anthony Simcock was suitably swivel-eyed and flustered as car salesman Leslie, sporting white socks and sandals as he somewhat uncomfortably conducted his affair with the coarse Eve (Nicky Jones).

A moment of sudden amorous grappling on the sofa provided an uproarious moment. Their upper-middle class counterparts took the form of Henry (Nick Wilson) and Mary (Catherine Leese), the former a petulant lawyer on the lookout for bare "full-frontals" on the Portuguese beaches. The performances were always spirited and full of gusto, even as the plot grew steadily more convoluted. Nicky Jones' range of disgusted facial expressions was especially amusing. This is an enjoyably creaky and camp comedy which makes no pretence to be anything else.

 

Anna Winter

 

Annie One, Two, Three:

The Sentinel, November 2012

 

ENDON Dramatic Society's opening night of their latest production, Annie, One, Two, Three, can truly be marked down as a success. The cast of this murder mystery by David Summers, about three sisters with a murky past, was led by a delightful performance from Yvonne Holford as the youngest sibling, with Deleine Wood's portrayal of the overbearing eldest sister a strong counterbalance. Audrey Simpson's snobbish, tale-telling, cane wielding neighbour was a wonderfully mischievous arrival later in the proceedings. All were supported by a dedicated group who were professional in the face of a minor technical hiccup from the footlights and a little inconsistency in an accent that was quite significant later on.

The costumes were well suited to the three distinctive characters of the siblings, you could easily recognise the pecking order in their little group. The smart, expensively outfitted, domineering Miriam, the mousy, dowdy, downtrodden Martha and the rebellious middle sister Mary in her very casual clothes, driven more by comfort than style.

The action was nicely moved along at a decent, even pace but also gave time for the audience to pick up crucial plot details.

The set dressing was attentively linked to the tastes of the three septuagenarians.

Meanwhile, the audience was fully engrossed and engaged early on, avidly discussing between scenes their theories on 'whodunit' and then changing their minds at the next interlude with totally different hypotheses.

The interval double act must also get a mention. It was a joy to behold and entertainment in itself. Whether you won a prize in the raffle or not was purely incidental.

If you are looking for an evening of light entertainment, this would be just what you want.

 

Laying The Ghost:

The Senttinel, November 2013

 

THEATREGOERS of a certain age will be most familiar with Simon Williams as the dashing Captain Bellamy in the classic TV series Upstairs Downstairs. Yet in addition to his extensive career as an actor, he is also a novelist and and has written seven stage plays. To his credit, it is one of these plays, the comedy Laying the Ghost, which Endon Players are staging as their autumn production this year. Directed by Alan Clarke, the play draws on Williams's extensive experience of theatrical types, both from his many years as an actor, and as the son of two actors, Hugh and Margaret Williams. The play contains strong language. However, this should not discourage anyone from attending, as the rather small, but appreciative, opening night audience happily responded to the cheekier aspect of the humour. Set in a retirement home for permanently 'resting' actors, the action takes place on the morning of the 70th birthday of one of the senior residents, Margo Buchanan. Margo would much rather forget all about the milestone day, but her friends have other ideas and the events as visitors arrive form the basis of the plot.

As Margot, the dryly witty first wife of theatrical 'legend' and roué Sir Leo Buchanan, Sue Berrisford is in fine comedy form and gives her performance an energy which helps to maintain the momentum of the action, especially during her exchanges with her ex husband, Leo. Deleine Wood's sparky performance as Freda Deacon, Margot's psychic best friend, generated many of the laughs. Anthony Simcock plays Sir Leo Buchanan, whose convoluted private life over many years comes back to haunt him. Mr Simcock really hits his comedy stride in Act Two when confronted simultaneous by not only his ex-wife, but also his current wife Lady Judy (Catherine Leese) and mistress (Nicky Jones) Presiding over the unfolding chaos with bemused bewilderment is the home's manager, Mrs. Kidd (Val Nicholls). Add in a lively cameo performance by Philip Howard as a particularly unwelcome and improbable birthday kissogram and the chaos is complete.

 

Habeas Corpus:

The Sentinel, October 2014

 

HABEAS CORPUS Endon Dramatic Society

HAVING seen a previous production by Endon Dramatic Society, it was with fond anticipation I went along to their opening night.

I was not disappointed. I was met with a warm welcome and the happy expectation of the audience – here to support friends and family and enjoy an entertaining night.

The play opens with a monologue by the main protagonist Dr Arthur Wicksteed, played steadfastly by Paul West, which sets the standard of Alan Bennett's dry northern humour.

Enter the indomitable Mrs Swabb, acting as narrator, to introduce the characters and move the plot along.

Catherine Leese gave a compelling performance, pitching her character faithfully as one of Mr Bennett's stalwart women.

Muriel Wicksteed, the doctor's long-suffering wife (Susan Berrisford), Dennis Wicksteed, their hypochondriac son, played by Nick Wilson; and Constance Wicksteed, the eccentric sister, played by Audrey Simpson, make up the rest of this family.

The initial, very short and fast appearance of Canon Throbbing brought the first big laugh.

Excellent casting of Anthony Simcock as the gangly, thrill-seeking padre, not adverse to a little heavy-handed interrogation.

The shrill Lady Rumpers (Simone Brookes), her quietly spoken daughter Felicity Rumpers (Myra Proctor), Mr Shanks (Adrian Bemrose), whose training should have prepared him for situations like this and the depressed Mr Purdue (Sam Proctor) complete the ensemble, although I am still undecided about the musical interludes – some did seem to be out of their comfort zone.

Mistaken identity, propositions, lustful yearnings, shameful secrets and tales of a misspent youth prove no-one is whiter than white.

The simple set of three chairs helped move the pace along.

The second-half found the audience relaxed, enjoying the predicaments, misunderstandings and lack of gentlemen's leg attire. A lovely, friendly, family atmosphere abounded.

GHOST WRITER

               

At a last-night party for a production of Hamlet, talented actress Ruby Pinfold is found dead from a lethal cocktail of drink and drugs. One year later, her ghost appears to her playwright husband, Edward, claiming that she was, in fact, poisoned, and urging him to find the killer.

Ruby helps Edward to write a play based on the night of her murder, and he invites the key suspects to read through the play with him, hoping that one of them will give themselves away. Needless to say, they each have their own motive and opportunity to have committed the crime!

Philip Howard who played Edward handled the intricacies well , managed many 3 way conversations, one being with a ghost and was able to bring out the comedy of the piece whilst maintaining his  emotionally tormented character. His gay friend Alex in whose attic room he lives, played very well by Anthony Simcock is also a strong character in the play, giving support to Edward and linking the other characters as they appear. Susan Berrisford, playing the ghost of Ruby, balanced the comedy of her role with the serious need to find her murderer. She moved around the stage managing to appear and disappear quite realistically slipping in her asides to Edward very well.  I enjoyed the different characters of the murder suspects from the world of theatre Roger Garland played Hedley, Celia Richardson played Frances both over the top ‘luvvies,’displaying lots of spite and jealousy. In amongst all of the goings on Alex  introduces Edward to a new female friend  hoping to lift him out of his gloom, she is Glenda, a more gentle character , a bit dozey but funny  played very effectively by  Barbara Harwood.

The set is simple but adequate , the village hall very comfortable and the front of house support excellent. Complementary tea/coffee/biscuits in the interval together with an extremely funny raffle drawing and prize presentations made for a most enjoyable night out.

The late Pam Shufflebotham, who worked with this company for many years would have been very pleased with  this production

Get along there and have an enjoyable night out for £7.

Review by Gina Brian