The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomens Guild Dramatic
Societys Production of Macbeth: Mortimer Dramatic Society, at St Johns
Hall, Mortimer on May 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th
The raffle is one of the worst traditions of amateur theatre, so it
was no surprise to find one at the back of St Johns Hall. What was a
little surprising was the first prize of a tea towel and second prize of
half a dozen eggs, but they should have served as a warning for what was
in store. The Farndale Avenue series of plays, about incompetent amateur
actors, is hugely popular with amateur groups, and Macbeth is the
original one, dating from 1976. The ladies are entering their production
in a drama competition, and we are privileged to watch the performance,
along with the adjudicator Mr Peach (Tom Shorrock), a splendidly fruity
performance, especially at the end when he delivers his adjudication in
drag.
The redoubtable chairwoman of the TWG, Mrs Reece, played by Sarah
Clarke, had all the confidence and authority we would expect. At the
start, she told us all to stand and sing the National Anthem, and by
golly we all did. Macbeth was played by Thelma (played by Cathy Bowman),
and she knew she was the star, and better than the others. When Lady
Macbeth fails to arrive, stage manager Henry (Chris Boott) is
press-ganged into taking on the part. This was a very good comic
performance as he stumbled his way through, showing increasing
desperation when three of them get trapped in an endless loop of script.
Jane Hodgson, as Minnie playing Banquo, was suitable confused as a
ghost, as was I what was the other person doing under the sheet? I
thought she was supposed to be pushed around on a tea trolley. Helen
Sharpe, as Kate, started off with a walking stick and deteriorated as
the performance went on, ending up in a wheelchair, pushed by Darryl
Manners as the long-suffering director.
The remaining parts were played by Mari Fleming and Carol Burbedge,
groping her way around after she lost her glasses.
For this sort of play to succeed, you need good actors, good timing and
a fast pace, and the company, directed by John Burbedge, provided all
these. The only thing I felt didnt succeed was the witches dance,
to That Old Black Magic, which needed more variety.
This was a very polished production, and hugely enjoyable. I havent
laughed so much since
well, since the last Farndale Avenue play I
saw.
PAUL SHAVE
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