THIS HAPPY BREED BY NOEL COWARD

ST JOSEPH'S PLAYERS next production is NOEL COWARDS "THIS HAPPY BREED" Directed by Doreen Johnson, Comm. on Tues 16th Oct. to Sat. 20th Tickets £10 adults & 16yrs and under £5 Advance tickets will be available from Spectrum Blinds Chapel St. opposite St Joseph's Church, or pay on the door on the night,
This Happy Breed shows a different side to Noel Coward's writing than one we might be used to. Rather than dealing with the affairs of the upper classes, we instead see the movements of the lower middle-class Gibbons family, between the end of World War I and the outbreak of World War II.

This crucial twenty years of British history is made personal by the lives of Frank and Ethel, and their children, Queenie, Vi and Reg, along with friends Bob, Billie, Sam, Phyllis and Edie. The disintegration of European relations is a backdrop to suburban ennui, socialist rhetoric, and patriotic strike breaking, as alliances fail and revive within a small dining room near Clapham Common.

Director Donna Wood Oscar Wilde's "AN IDEAL HUSBAND"      ACTS review

Oscar Wilde’s play is about Victorian morals, a comedy of manners. The principle character, Viscount Goring, is a fictionalised caricature of Wilde himself. In this production, only his top hat and cape were missing. The story has a plot full of contrivances including a letter from the past, and a bracelet with a secret clasp. The heart of the play is in its relationships.

A splendid box set with a central staircase depicted the wealth of the Sir Robert Chiltern. The costumes, while not always quite appropriate, displayed the fashion of the day. The lighting and sound added to the overall presentation of this drama.

The director captured the essence of Wilde’s stylish wit; the pace of the piece was never laboured. Attention to detail was good, but maybe there were just some small niggling aspects missing. However, the all-important relationships were believable.

The play opens at the Grosvenor Square home of the Chiltern’s. There we meet an array of characters. Lady Markby – Chris Lovelady, Countess of Basildon – Kay Unsworth, Mrs Marchmont – Angela Grime, Mr Montford – Karl Gerrard, Duchess of Marlborough – Pauline Dowsett,Lady Jane Barford – Debbie Wood and Viscomte De Nanjac – Muhammad Al-Yasseri . Their contributions were important and set the accent of the social high ground of 1895 London.

Upstairs staff was needed to pamper the guests, Luke Ellam took his duties as Mason seriously looking after the élite of London’s society.

Faced with public ruin, Robert Chiltern is a man who is very much in love with his wife. The role was brought to life by Paul Jameson. Paul gave a sincere performance and in so doing proved we should accept our loved ones without judgement.

Playing Lady Chilton was an actress of experience who allowed the dialogue to “do its job”. Pauline Nevell knows how to phrase a line, and in so doing brought truth and believability to the new Victorian liberated woman.

Mabel is the Chiltern’s daughter who eventually is engaged to Goring. There is no real depth to the character, which could be the attraction for Robert Goring. Jennifer Costello, as the uncomplicated Mabel Chiltern, conveyed her innocence and charm.
The dark angel descends on the party in the guise of Mrs. Cheveley. She is unconventional, self-opinionated and doesn’t care what people say about her. Clare Nash played the calculating, blackmailing villain with wit, and with that all-important soupcon of venom.

The Earl of Caversham is Viscount Goring’s father. He is from the old school of politics. a foil for the actor playing his son. This allowed plenty of movement for the actor to characterise the old public servant. This was “meat on the plate” for David Hodgkinson who amusingly blustered and huffed his way through his scenes.

Trapped by expectation, Robert Goring is the busiest character in the play having to display the Victorian dandy, the wit, the compassion and the seriousness of the man. Darran Nash, in his first leading role, accomplished it all. The Wilde’s style of dialogue, body language of Robert, was neatly displayed. The accurate timing of the lines essential for any Wilde play, was well observed

It easy to see why this play, after all this time, is so popular: As Jorge Luis Borges said in one of his essays, “the fundamental flavour of Wilde’s work is happiness

The BATS review just received. (well done) xx

Review
An Ideal Husband
St. Joseph’s Players
Set in Grosvenor Square, London at the home of Sir Robert and Lady Chiltern, Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband tells the story of corruption and blackmail amongst the upper classes.
As the curtain opened the set was greeted by applause from the audience. Well-built and very effective that set the scene perfectly.
As the Chilterns host a distinguished dinner party, an old school day enemy of Lady Chiltern, Mrs Cheveley, arrives with blackmail in mind. She has a secret about Sir Robert and threatens to tell the world, which would end his political standing and status unless he agrees to her demands of supporting a fraudulent scheme to build a canal in Argentina.
With twists and turns aplenty the plot unfolds and the right people get their comeuppance.
Pauline Nevell in the role of Lady Chiltern was outstanding. A graceful, confident performance throughout. Paul Jameson as Sir Robert commanded the stage with a believable interpretation that displayed the right amount of emotion as he tried to deal with his unbearable predicament.
Clare Nash was on top form as Mrs Cheveley, a polished, well studied interpretation that showed versatility. Darren Nash as Viscount Goring, ex-fiancé of Cheveley, brought a tongue in cheek comedic side to the role, whilst showing great stage presence who succeeded in turning the blackmail around once he had been double crossed.
David Hodgkinson as The Earl of Caversham K.G, and Jennifer Costello – Miss Mabel Chiltern, both gave credible performances that complimented the rest of the cast. Supporting roles made completed the cast of 14 who all worked well together to make this a successful production.

Director, Donna Wood has done a sterling job in bringing this piece to the stage. The costumes were perfect for the period as afore mentioned the set complimented the action.

Well done to all.

Graham Cohen.

CINDERELLA          
 Review by 'ACTS' 

St Joseph’s Players

Directors: Doreen Johnson & Pauline Nevell

Musical Director: Craig Barlow

Choreographer: Callan Tennant, assisted by Jennel Unsworth, Angela Grime, Christy Coleman, Louise Bailey, Scarlett Moss-Turner and Paige Collier.

It was refreshing to have a different interpretation of this fairy tale pantomime. Commercial theatre conveys the story in a few scenes keeping the casting to the minimum, which is understandable. As writer of this piece, Doreen Johnson’s concept took the audience on a pleasingly different selection of locations. The principal characters were there, along with new ones, to tell Cinderella’s story of becoming a princess.

All this was set against colourful, well-lit scenery and cloths, complementing a delightful set of costumes. Hair, wigs and make-up gave the finishing touches to all the well-drawn characters.

The direction was as traditional as it could be; proving that if you stick to the pantomime format, you will capture your audience. Music is an equal player with this tradition and the song selection is very important. The band and song interpretation were well executed. Movement and choreography were slick and added to each of the scenes.

The ensemble was made up of villagers, dancers and juniors,  Pantomime Sunbeams”. They all enhanced Cinder’s journey to find her Price Charming. Similarly, other characters, the Queen (Vicky Dixon), Ella’s friend, Belinda (Hannah Parr), the fairy godmother’s little helpers, Eeny (Scarlett Moss-Turner), Meeny (Melissa Kendrick) Gazella (Paige Collier) and the very capable Kitti Dixon, as August, all helped to bring magic to Pantoland.

Comedy is such an important element. There are two comic duos, the Broker’s men Hook (Chris Lovelady) and Crook (Luke Ellam). They kept up a funny inept harassment of trying to get payment from Baron Notabean. Then there are the two grotesque stepsisters, Dolce and Gabbana. As in all double acts, one has to be the feed. Paul Jameson, as Dolce, set up all the business and fed the lines for the hilarious antics of Gabbana, played by Carl Hughes.

The 12 days of Christmas (the traditional subjects replaced with  pantomime words) was a highlight of their duo fun and games.

Baroness Notabean was given all the necessary cruel delivery by Donna Wood and trying to find a compromise for daughter Cinderella’s plight was the Baron, strongly characterised by Keith Hindley.

The ever faithful Buttons was too shy to disclose his feeling for Cinders but found a friend in Belinda. Cameron Lyth was suitably hopeful, but resigned to the friend only zone, when she realises she couldn’t compete with the prince.

Principal boys are rarely seen. It was a treat for both Prince Charming and Dandini to be played as originally portrayed. Zoe Unsworth gave a strong vocal interpretation as the friend of the prince. Clare Nash was every inch the charming prince. They were both convincing and carried their roles with gusto.

Looking after Cinderella was Primrose Goodbody her Fairy Godmother. Katherine Roberts gave enchantment to the fairy tale making sure Cinders got to the ball. The transformation scene achieved the right response from the audience.

In the title role, Karen Jones sang and acted her way into Prince Charming’s arms: the glass slipper was rightfully hers.

This was an evening of playful drama, music, dance, and fun, “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo”.

BATS REVIEW, FOR 'TEECHERS' PRODUCED BY PAULINE NEVELL

     St Joseph’s Players, Leigh.

Teechers, written by Jon Godber was originally designed to be played by three young actors. St. Joseph’s Players brought this production to the stage with nine actors portraying the twenty characters who appear in the play and this worked perfectly.

We are introduced to of the ups and downs of life at Whitwall High School where newly qualified Drama teacher Mr. Nixon (portrayed by Cameron Lyth) experiences the life in a school that is not doing very well and the teachers are too set in their ways to make a difference. Nixon soon realises this and successfully interviews for a job at the more exclusive school where budgets and facilities and much better.

The story is narrated through the eyes of three pupils, Salty, Gail and Hobby played by Cameron Lyth, Zoe Unsworth and Hannah Parr respectively. These three young actors each give faultless, well polished performances. We were also treated to the vocal talents of Zoe and Hannah which was of a such high standard that it was hard to believe that it was actually live.

Another excellent performance came from society stalwart Keith Hindley who portrayed Teacher, Mr Basford with just the right amount of pompousness and then interpreted the roles of pupils Oggy Moxan and Pete Saxon with an excellent amount of comedic quality and timing.

With supporting performances from Kay Unsworth, Angela Grime, Kitti Dixon, Vikkey Dixon and Luke Ellam , this was definitely a team effort and all nine members of the cast worked extremely hard to present a production of a very high standard.

Director Pauline Nevell has done a sterling job bringing this production to life. With excellent casting and a simple yet effective set, she has revealed what talent St Josephs are nurturing and giving lots of promise for the future.

Well done to all involved.

Graham Cohen

   'TIME MURDERER PLEASE'

     Produced by Doreen Johnson

             BATS Review
       'Time Murderer Please'
St. Joseph’s Players
Set in the saloon bar and private sitting room of a hotel in Salford this murder mystery presented by St Joseph’s Players has all the ingredients required to get you thinking.
When stranger, Mike, turns up at the hotel claiming to have lost his memory, he is soon linked to the murder of a local school teacher. However, as the plot unfolds the mystery man soon starts to put the pieces of the murder together himself and drawing his own conclusions. This character was in the capable hands of Brendan Delaney whose performance was consistently believable to the point that we were never too sure if he was guilty or not.
Several suspects later, the story unfolds and keeps us guessing right till the very end were the unlikely murderer is revealed.
The 10 strong cast do a sterling job of transporting this piece from script to stage. Michael Evans as the hen pecked husband and Hotel Proprietor, Dugdale contrasts nicely with Katherine Roberts as Mrs Dugdale. She certainly wore the trousers and took no messing from anyone.
Local Policeman, George played by Muhammad Al-Yasseri and love interest /barmaid Sadie, Jennel Unsworth compliment each others performances very well and show a great deal of promise for the future.
Paul Jameson as Freddie, turns in another excellent performance and kept the pace consistent throughout.
Barbara Mayers as Grannie delivered her comedic one liners with aplomb. With supporting performances form Chris Lovelady as Irma, Donna Wood and Pat and Karl Gerrard Mr Brooks.
This was another successful production for this society who are proving that they are a force to be reckoned with world of amateur theatre.

Well done to all concerned.
Graham Cohen.

             

           From Tues. 10th Oct. to Sat. 14th Oct.        

      A class room comedy by JOHN GODBER
                  Directed by Pauline Nevell

Fast moving and highly entertaining, 'TEECHERS' evokes life at a modern school.  Using the format of an end of term play, the new drama teacher's progress through two terms of recalcitrant classes, cynical colleagues and obstructive caretakers is reviewed.  Disillusioned, he departs for a safer private school.  
We have great pleasure in introducing in this production  some of the new and talented young actors who recently became members.  They are proving to be an invaluable addition to St Joseph's Players.