Seal Cove is a new play written by Dave Hawkins (who also directed this production) and tells the story of feature writer James Norton’s experiences when he goes to Cornwall to cover the story of an independently funded lifeboat station that is under threat of closure. He becomes embroiled in the campaign to save it, locals infighting, romance and the mysterious young woman in the wheelchair.

Front of House: The front of house team welcomed patrons and helped to create the atmosphere ready for the production.

The programme: The programme was A5 in size and gave clear information about the production in a readable font including cast biographies. There was also a section devoted to other local productions and the NODA logo and strapline.

Scenery/Set/Properties: The guest-house was realistically created with great attention to detail with sea themed pictures, wall-mounted payphone and drinks cabinet with drop down serving leaf. The set was realistically decorated and the props were well used by the cast.

Make-up and hair: The make-up and hair was appropriate throughout.

Costume: The costumes were in keeping with the characters and well thought out. Brenda Prior and Becky Saunders deserve special praise for the lifeboat man’s outfit, vicar’s dog-collar and the Mermaid tail!

Lighting and Sound Effects: The lighting was excellent, especially the changing light outside. The storm lighting/sound effect was superb and complemented the production.

The Production: Director, Dave Hawkins, had assembled an excellent cast led by Pete Watt as the writer. He had fine support – in this adventure/mystery/romance story – from Naomi Read as the enigmatic Star and she gave an assured performance and manoeuvred the wheelchair with great skill. The talent of the actors resounded throughout this excellent production. This was a clever and intriguing story that kept us entertained and interested. Congratulations to Compton Players who should be proud to add this to their list of successes and for having the nerve to go with a new play.

CHRIS HORTON
DISTRICT 14 REPRESENTATIVE, NODA SOUTH EAST

Seal Cove was written for Compton Players and directed by the author. Set in the Seal Cove Hotel in Cornwall it covers a sweltering week in June. The Lifeboat Station is in jeopardy and the locals mount a campaign to save it. A London feature-writer arrives at the hotel to cover the campaign and closure.The Hotel owner, Penelope Grainger, (Mary Warrington) brought a delightful comedy touch, trying to keep an orderly house, whilst unable to contain her infatuation with the young, good-looking lifeboat Coxswain, Doug Tremayne (Robin Hawkins). Penelope’s long-suffering husband Gerald (H Connolly) also brought comedic presence to the play with his lugubrious portrayal of the browbeaten husband until his fortunes change with Penelope getting drunk at the festival!

The Vicar, Rev Karen Worsley (Lauren Eeley) was surprising. Although Lauren is one of the younger members of the cast, carried off the role with assurance and great self-confidence, giving pastoral support to ‘Star’ and the whole of the lifeboat campaign, particularly Doug!

Top solicitor, Angela Merryweather, played very efficiently by Emily Downes, is brought in to help fight the Trust, which wants to close the Lifeboat Station (as there had not been enough fatalities). She, too, has designs on Doug, who started off with a good Cornish accent, which tailed off a bit. He gave a superb performance and handled the female attention very well, but, surprisingly, ended up with the vicar. Their initial kiss, about which a fuss was made, was so fleeting it was almost missed.

James Norton, the Journalist, was played very convincingly by Pete Watt was the mainstay of the play and cemented the whole action together beautifully, with some very nice touches of pathos and irritation.

‘Star’, aptly named, (Naomi Read) spent the majority of her time in a wheelchair, which no one realised until she appeared from behind the table and manoeuvred her wheelchair so expertly throughout in the confined space of the stage. Naomi’s performance as the cynical para-plegic, who transformed into the mermaid was exceptional. There were many brilliant moments in her seduction of James and her stormy relationship with her half-brother Conrad (George Buckland).

Conrad was excellent as the menacing ‘angry young man’ who put forward the alternative explanation for Star being in a wheelchair. Rather too much finger-pointing though to get his anger across.

A well performed play, enjoyed by the enthusiastic audience. It was, perhaps, a little long and could do with some judicious editing. Congratulations to all.

NIGEL JAMES