Steve Pound’s Reviews 2

St.Mary’s Players May 2009-05-26

Never does a true Hanwellian step with lighter tread and more hopeful heart than when bound for another presentation by the professional amateurs who seek mutual support in what the world now knows as the St.Mary’s Players. Thus it was on a balmy May evening that your correspondent, fired by the keenest anticipation, made his way to the Church Hall that was once rebuilt after enemy action and which now plays host to the community servants, not all on community service, who make up the finest theatrical troupe ever to have graced this particular area of North Hanwell. As ever a packed hall settled into an anticipatory hush while a faint susurrus kept full silence at bay. Sue Cosstick was as charming as ever at the box office/table and scarcely mentioned moats, helipads, manure or duck houses as she relieved me of my latest expenses claim. All was going so well when one Mules – Geoff by name – strode to the stage and called us to order. This man – originally from a Cardiff suburb named Splott whose residents are referred to as Splotions or – after death – as Explotions – took the opportunity to twist the knife deep within this writer’s breast. Referring to the availability during the interval of the cup that cheers but does not inebriate he felt it appropriate to draw the attention of any Members of Parliament present that receipts could be provided on demand. A man who wears street shoes with evening dress can hardly claim any moral authority but the barb sunk deep and it was with some relief that all the MPs in the hall turned their attention to the first of the two confections cooked up for our delectation. This play “A Small Affair” was written by Bob Larbey of Esmonde and Larbey “The Good Life” fame but it proved to be a surprisingly bleak piece imaginatively set in a rehearsal studio and pointing a searing spotlight on the illusions and alienation of contemporary society. The initial shock of seeing Tony Rumble as a somewhat fey director who might well be suspected of throwing a light dart was compounded by a piece of theatrical precision by one whose work is new to me – Victoria Wilson. Both were perfect in their wildly differing ways and prepared us for a bravura performance as an intoxicated theatrical giant by Chris Michell whose familiarity with hangovers and surreptitious swigging suggested a certainly knowledge of the terrain. The hall was, however, silenced in awe-struck admiration of a truly remarkable performance by Rekha John-Cheriyan whose teeth dazzled the first ten rows and whose playing the diva reduced us to raptures. How she could have been cast as a totally over the top romantic lead defies belief but she defied all known social conventions and did so with aplomb and a certain obvious glee. As the Sister George (not in every sense) character in the play under rehearsal Carol Collison showed us again why she is known as the Edith Evans of W7 but her modesty allowed the hurricane Mona (Rekha) to rather blow her away on occasions. Malcolm Smith was first class as the intrusive electrician but it would have been fun to have cast Steve Douglas and his amazing tool-kit in the part. Three set visitors were then ushered onto the stage and Jackie Ogunbiyi, Alison Simmons and a large brooding presence resembling David Whitestone really captured the roles of onlookers at a disaster superbly. Mark Cosstick revealed his authoritarian impulses as Ron from Security and guaranteed himself a job in Parking Enforcement should the need ever arise. Sadly we had but a cameo from the ever delightful Sarah Stoddart and any decent producer would have made more use of Susan Powrie and Kim Rumble but while the play was ended in a style that owed more to Beckett than The Beck by the Grove Avenue Gielgud, David Whitestone – or a body double. I have not mentioned a scintillating performance that wrung every drop of emotion from a ruthlessly limited casting but every performance by St.Mary’s Players can charge twice the price for any production featuring Linda Smith. Sadly she was almost diminished on this occasion but her adoring public treasured even these crumbs from the table of theatrical genius even if she chose to conceal the dominatrix within just because it wasn’t in the script. A sad play about failure and self-obsession had its chuckles and was really well acted but we expect something different from the SMP and we were not to be long denied the raw red meat of flagrant farce and endless innuendo that the people have come to expect. The second play descended beyond even the lowest levels plumbed by the players. “Last Tango in Little Grimley” was utterly historic and will live forever in the mind as one of the maddest and most perfect four-handers ever seen. The plot was simple, nay non-existent. A village dramatic group are dying on their feet and turn to the lubricious to sell out their next performance. Steve Secombe was breathtakingly cynical as the star of the Grimleys and his perfect foil was Alan Browne as the set designer dragooned into playing the juvenile lead. Alison Simmons and Madeline Secombe were wondrous in their own obsessions and this play within the play within the play that involved the filthiest of double-entendre with a butcher was sheer magnificence. Those gentlemen in Ealing now a-bed will think themselves accursed that they did not witness this triumph! As one who had to defend the reduction in direct grants to Welsh regional government and referred to the last quango in Powys I thought this play perfection of its type. Congratulations to Jenny Foxwell for her direction, Mary Jane Bailey for production and the overworked prompt Christiane Jenkins for her alacrity. Steve Douglas managed the stage to his usual high standard and the construction team of Douglas, Smith, Foxwell and Co were as excellent as ever. Malcolm Smith’s lighting was illuminating and the refreshments served without receipts by Moira Rayner, Alison Mules, Susie Strettle and the team were………refreshing. Wonderful as ever – community theatre at its finest and excellent value for money!