SUPPER THEATRE REVIEW
BY FIONA MURCHIE
For this year’s annual Supper Theatre by Crieff Drama Group, the group chose two pieces which were light-hearted and entertaining. The first was a short two-hander, ‘Shoppers’ by Jean McConnell. Kate Beauchamp and Ann Morrison were perfectly cast by director Tom Inglis as ladies who love to shop. Indeed, a Friday spent shopping is as much a part of their regular schedule as Meals on Wheels or the WI. Kate and Ann were sparky and amusing as the two characters showing off their spoils. Their inveterate passion for shopping did leave the audience wondering just how wealthy their retired husbands could be until the very end when a siren revealed the truth!
Our appetites suitably whetted by this amusing little piece, it was time for another excellent supper provided by Gourlays before moving on to the second play.
‘Last Panto in Little Grimley’ by David Tristram is a 3 act farce about an amateur dramatic society struggling to attract an audience. Their leader, Gordon, convincingly played by Martin Dew, thinks their fortunes can be reversed if they stage the new ‘sex panto’ that he has written. However, his efforts are hampered by the lack of talent of his cast, typos created by some dodgy software and exploding lighting. Much of the humour in this play comes from the often fraught relationships between the characters: Gordon and the endearingly naïve Joyce, played by the excellent Helen Day and Bernard the lighting man and Margaret, who is concerned that Gordon is going to ask her to strip again. As the lugubrious Bernard, John Cummings had many of the funniest lines and Elizabeth Rapczynska was persuasive as the voice of reason who wants to preserve her dignity. As with all farces, this play depended on good comic timing and director Mike Owens had schooled his cast well to deliver a very entertaining piece.
Credit must go to all the many people backstage who make these evenings such a success and such an eagerly anticipated part of the Crieff calendar.
Fiona Murchie
Our appetites suitably whetted by this amusing little piece, it was time for another excellent supper provided by Gourlays before moving on to the second play.
‘Last Panto in Little Grimley’ by David Tristram is a 3 act farce about an amateur dramatic society struggling to attract an audience. Their leader, Gordon, convincingly played by Martin Dew, thinks their fortunes can be reversed if they stage the new ‘sex panto’ that he has written. However, his efforts are hampered by the lack of talent of his cast, typos created by some dodgy software and exploding lighting. Much of the humour in this play comes from the often fraught relationships between the characters: Gordon and the endearingly naïve Joyce, played by the excellent Helen Day and Bernard the lighting man and Margaret, who is concerned that Gordon is going to ask her to strip again. As the lugubrious Bernard, John Cummings had many of the funniest lines and Elizabeth Rapczynska was persuasive as the voice of reason who wants to preserve her dignity. As with all farces, this play depended on good comic timing and director Mike Owens had schooled his cast well to deliver a very entertaining piece.
Credit must go to all the many people backstage who make these evenings such a success and such an eagerly anticipated part of the Crieff calendar.
Fiona Murchie
