IT'S (NOT ONLY) CRICKET

Review

This is a light-hearted look at a "grudge" cricket match which was a good
choice for Wrington Drama Club's spring production, directed by Mark Bullen
with a first-time producer, Andrew Tandy.

As usual there was a super back-up team. My opinion of Richard Harris's
writing is that he's better at developing women's characters in depth. If
you've seen his "Stepping Out" about a tap-dancing class you will know what
I mean.

So hey guys, you thought you were the heroes! They're all here, male
chauvinist pig, poseur, slippery wheeler-dealer.

But you'll remember Ruth Taylor's edgy, martyr-like Miriam - not content
with shouldering the responsibility of interval teas but worrying about
everyone else as she witters and twitters her way through the afternoon.

And what about Wendy Tandy's interpretation of the Josie Lawrence role from
the TV series - Maggie the DIY expert? She did a great job using her
height as she cuddled her diminutive husband Kevin (Phil Neve) - a lot of
laughs there.

Also the stage business of adjusting the leg of the table and fixing the
ballcock in the loo. There there was the glamourous Ginny (Gaby Sheridan)
with her slick one-liners "I'd been with twelve men before I met Bob - he
made it twelve and a half".

Meanwhile the men proceeded to make much of trivialities. Loved the meths
trick with Kevin's spinning finger - and the daft superstitions, putting
the right pad on first; the threat of the old man with the black dog
bringing bad luck to Bob (Steve Osman).

Experience

Peter Jones used his great experience to advantage as Dennis - a turn of
the head, a sly grin - as he portrayed the oily, creepy wheeler-dealer with
the NEW BMW - which was finally torched by his wife Shirley because he
wouldn't go house-hunting.

The two youngest members of the cast, Mike Milne and Liz Thomas, didn't let
the side down - she came dressed as though for Ascot Races as a decorative
adjunct to poser Alex.

The sound effects were such an essential element to the second half of the
play. They had to synchronise with team captain Roger's (Peter Langley)
despair and jubilation and were of high quality.

Thanks, everyone, for a cracking start to the Fair.

Rosemary Hodges