Theatre Review - A TRIO OF ONE ACT PLAYS BY ALAN BENNETT - THE WITHAM, BARNARD CASTLE

 

Cast Photo
Photo Credit Helen Brown

A number of years ago The Castle Players created a ‘new director initiative’ to challenge and develop members of the group to take their first steps in directing. This year there are three first time directors taking on the triple bill of Alan Bennett’s one act plays – from Office Suite, Green Forms directed by Adele Tyler and A Visit from Miss Prothero directed by Phil Sculthorpe. Concluding the evening with Say Something Happened directed by Keith Irons.

Doreen, Janie Cladbeck
Photo Credit Helen Brown

Doris, Sarah Fells
Photo Credit Helen Brown

Alan Bennett is well known for taking mundane situations and transforming them into the hilarious then poignant almost tragic moments, through the brilliance of his word play. In Green Forms, we see the laborious form filling office work, at the time of the late 1970s, with the threat of redundancy due to computerisation. Doreen and Doris are played by Janie Caldbeck and Sarah Fells, as they create perfect panic and fear at the possibility of redundancy. They try to correct and outperform each other, as they complete a form, then read a newspaper, make cups of coffee and gossip. The collection of the forms are to be delivered around the departments by Frank Lomax and Mr Boswell played by Ben Pearson and Scott Edwards. Ben’s monologue is sheer perfection. The office is then upset by the possible arrival of Dorothy Binns, Heather Armstrong, where the pace increases as Doreen and Doris investigate just who she is, until finally she arrives.

Miss Prothero and Mr Dodsworth,
Bunny Forsyth and Peter Firby
Photo Credit Helen Brown

This is followed by A visit from Miss Prothero, Mr Dodsworth, played by Peter Firby, has settled into his life of retirement, where he spends his time between the bowling, Rotary, cooking and pottery classes. After the death of his wife, he has his budgie to keep him company. His peace is disturbed by the impromptu visit from Miss Prothero, played by Bunny Forsyth. She updates him on his previous work where he spent three decades and he begins to question his whole existence. Bunny Forsyth clearly relishes her role with her new found power. Peter Firby is very gentle as he’s continually in a state of ambush.

June, Libby Harding
Photo Credit
Helen Brown

Mam and Dad, Heather Armstrong
 and Mike Steinbock
Photo Credit Helen Brown

Finally, with Say Something Happened an elderly couple, the Mam and Dad played by Heather Armstrong and Mike Steinbock, have an unexpected visitor from a young social worker, June played by Libby Harding, wanting to register the elderly in the area. June tentatively quotes her manager as she explains that she’s never done this before. While the elderly couple bicker and banter showing great chemistry between them. The couples most tender moments define their isolation and what the future holds for them. Libby Harding’s portrayal captures an almost childlike performance, endearing and completely believable.

The three directors have had an exceptional cast for their first productions and I’m sure they’ll be back to direct again soon.

Runs at The Witham, Barnard Castle until Saturday 13^th November.