produced by Amanda Hislop and directed by Sue Goble
Jack of Diamonds is a comedy set in a private, high-end retirement home and centres around four elderly residents, each with their own little 'idiosyncrasies', together with their no-nonsense nurse. They learn that a mutual financial adviser has scammed them out of their not inconsiderable savings, leaving them with nothing and facing the prospect of ending their years in another home of dubious reputation. Wouldn't you know? Barney, the scammer arrives among them, on the run and in disguise, which of course doesn't work with his four victims, who recognise him straight away. After an enormous number of hilarious twists and setbacks, all turns out well for our heroes in the end.
Cast: Ian Stuart, Amanda Hislop, Pat Arculus, Janet Methley, Robert Ingram, Stalla Russell, Karon Oliver, Tony Gambrill; voice-overs: Hermin Daley, Angela Sloan, Karen Kelland.
Creative, Crew and FOH: Sue Goble, Amanda Hislop, Diane Martin, Ian Martin, Miq Kelland, Rober Ingram, Jane Johson, Howard Johnson Chris Hayne, Georgina Hayne, Rob Pearson, Ralph Wigg, Pat Arculus, Amanda Hislop, Caro Anderson, Karon Oliver, Diane Martin, Miq Kelland, Ian Martin, Geofrey Steward, Christine Pearson, Rob Pearson, Caro Anderson, Mill Goble, Brian Arculus, Sue Burroughs, Jay Forsyth, Oliver Forsyth, Val Hiley, Pam Luxton, Gillian May, Charlottel Turner, Caroline Woodley, Tess Woods, Pat Arculus, Geoff Goble, Iszy Hoad, Julian Hoad, Janet Methley.
Review from EDWIN PREECE
Sometimes the stars align and an audience gets to see the perfect cast in the perfect play. That was certainly the case for Friday’s performance of Alan Ayckbourn’s Table Manners, directed by Caroline Woodley for West Chiltington Dramatic Society. Caroline adroitly steered her six strong cast through serving and eating two meals, as well as several breakfasts. Although the play takes place in one room, there is an enormous amount of business and this was brilliantly choreographed ensuring that, when needed, everyone was in the right and wrong place for maximum comic effect.
All the cast were pitch perfect in their roles. The central character of Norman, played by Julian Hoad, wreaks havoc throughout the play. Thanks to Julian’s ability to engage with an audience from the moment he appears, there was constant humour every time he was on stage. He was matched by Janet Methley in the role of Sarah, who is constantly appalled by what is unfolding but eventually is not completely immune to Norman’s charms. Janet, in a faultless performance, didn’t miss any opportunity to draw laughter from the audience. Also impressive was the scene where she succumbs to Norman’s flattery. Julian and Janet played this beautifully, providing an unexpected moment of emotional depth between their characters.
Ian Stuart, playing Tom, again showed his flair for expertly timed comic delivery. Most apparent when he was trying to tell an involved joke about missionaries, only to be interrupted by all the other characters. Ian was also central to the play’s comic high spot when he has to sit on a small chair at the table and become the subject of Norman’s goading wit. The moment when he rose and punched Norman in the face, provoked a roar of laughter and applause from the audience – not least because Julian and Ian made it look so real. Pam Luxton as Ruth, who understands Norman and largely forgives him, made the character come alive. Pam’s was a rounded performance, effortlessly showing the different sides Ruth - funny, angry and compassionate. Ruth is perhaps the most complex character in the play and Pam was completely believable in the role, showing an experienced performer at work.
Sue Burroughs played the hapless Annie, always hoping Tom might take their relationship further. This was an assured performance, with Sue delivering laughs and exasperation in equal amounts while serving two meals and breakfasts and making it look completely natural. Returning her so called ‘stew’, which might have contained pears, back into the saucepan, was a comedy highlight. As her brother Reg, Mike Nicholson completely inhabited his character. His timing, when complaining about lettuce and salads, ensured that each remark was met with increasing laughs from the audience. He was the perfect comic foil for Janet as his wife.
Often overlooked in a production is the role of the Producer responsible for the smooth running of everything and everybody. The fact that on the night no props went missing, no cues were missed and scene changes happened without panic, is down to the fantastic organisational skills of Amanda Hislop and the Stage Manager, Diane Martin. The Technical and Sound team and all the backstage and front of house staff played their part in matching the high standards of the evening. This was West Chiltington Dramatic Society at the top of their game and the applause at the curtain call suggested the audience thought so too.