Theatre Review - A BUNCH OF AMATEURS - THE PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

Dorothy (KayEdmundson), Jessica (SophieTaylor) photo Jules Dash

A story of a big name - and some even bigger egos. A former action hero is in need of a new direction as he becomes too old for the action genre and asks for help from his agent. Fortunately, his agent lands him the role of King Lear in Stratford, unfortunately it’s not that Stratford. Worse still, his co-stars are literally a bunch of amateurs. A Bunch of Amateurs, by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, guides you through the silly, fun and complicated world of amateur dramatics, with all the pomposity and love it can house.

 

Ensemble (IanWillis), Denis (TonySehgal), Dorothy (KayEdmundson)
photo Jules Dash

Director, Steve Hewitt, clearly worked hard to bring about this show, adding moments of song to cover scene changes and highlight emotion. The decision to have cast members walk around the audience brought life to the performance as well as drawing the eye away to allow for set changes. Set Designer, Megan Smith, has created something of both minimal and adaptable beauty. A simply painted room unfolds like a Christmas card; I only wish it could have been utilised more. Phil Bradley, who designed the Lighting, and Kate Scott, who designed the Sound, created a good back drop to allow the play to spring forth. At times a few of the actors were a little hard to hear, but overall, the speech was clear.

 

Kay Edmundson played the true peace-maker Dorothy, as she tries her best to keep all egos in check while dealing with the demands of Jefferson Steel, played by Steve Parry, who has a habit of referring to himself in the third person. Roger Liddle was brilliantly cast as self-interested and hammy Nigel who, under normal circumstances, would be playing Lear. Tony Sehgal as Dennis gave a solid comedic performance, almost channelling Blackadder’s Baldric as he explained why he would have made a good daughter (Goneril) for Lear. Kirstie Corfield was the charmingly befuddled Mary. Kate Lundy was Lauren, wife of the sponsor and the hapless physiotherapist who gets caught in a scandal. Sophie Taylor completes the main cast as Steel’s sarcastic and world-weary daughter Jessica Steel. As the rest of the Stratford Players / Journalists, we have; Bill Harrington, Stewart Dives, Steve Strouzer, Lauren Aspery, Molly Winton, Abigail Martin, Jo Murray, Ian Willis and Ben Watkins. They gave the impression of a busy theatre, while also arranging props and set during other characters’ speeches. At times this could be a little distracting, but it really helped set the tone when they were reacting to Steel’s shenanigans. If ever you loved the stage and the Bard, you’ll find something to smile at in this production.

The play’s the thing!

Runs at the Peoples Theatre until 14^th May.