NODA said:
ALVECHURCH DRAMATIC SOCIETY
AN UNSENTIMENTAL JOURNEY
WRITTEN BY ALAN CLARKE
ALVECHURCH VILLAGE HALL
29th NOVEMBER 2019On arriving at Alvechurch Village Hall the first question going through my mind was how will the front of house staff be involved in the production? As always, I was not to be disappointed as all were suitably dressed to reflect the period of the production. The front of house team always embrace the production on stage and most certainly add to the experience.
This was a new piece of writing set locally with references to Alvechurch, Solihull, Evesham and Malvern. As a new piece this was therefore the first time it was aired to an audience. This is always a risk to any drama group but a challenge Alvechurch regularly take up. This was most certainly a risk worth taking.
Looking at the programme I was initially filled with apprehension on the number of scenes and flashbacks. Indeed, the final scene took us back even further in time to before any earlier scenes. To my, relief I need not have worried as the play was well structured and flowed well despite the number of flashbacks therefore continually giving us more snippets into people’s backstory and the events leading to the here and now for us to understand the piece as a whole.
Scenes were linked not only by some of the cast telling us the date of the forthcoming scene but also by some trivia such as in relation to football matches with the reintroduction of the FA Cup and the start of flights out of Heathrow post war. I particularly liked the reference to Blithe Spirit and the release of the film (Blithe Spirit was the last play performed by the group)! The occasional song from the period sung by Susan Resuggan was a nice touch and worked well despite the reality she was at times singing in someone’s lounge!
The set was effective depicting a sitting room with a sofa and armchair as well as other furniture and fittings. On a sideboard were conveniently set drinks and glasses. Stage right was a passageway to the front door which allowed the audience to see who was coming and going as well as providing us with an additional acting area. Set changes were managed by cast and crew members, although not quite sure why a glass was taken by one character when leaving the house – a minor technical point!
Other scenes were portrayed using small props or chairs. These were functional and did not need to be expanded further to provide the audience with any further information about the location. The play opened to a scene showing a parachute and a later to be determined German airman who was on a reconnaissance mission but seeking refuge in England. All was later explained.
The actors all portrayed their characters well and managed to reflect different aspects to the character as time frames went back and forward again. This was particularly so for Jon Oseland as Richard Fielding as we discovered the secret of his time in Italy and his struggle on first becoming enlisted and then having to return to post war life as a bank clerk.
Rosie Pring as Rose Fielding and Myfanwy Griffiths as Katy Martin both gave strong and creditable performances along with reliable Chris Davies as Tom Fenworth, a friend of Richard’s who soon becomes involved with Katy. Adam Brown as Dieter Brandt performed the role well and provided us with some thoughtful dialogue as he described life in Germany during Hitler’s rise and beyond as well as while he portrayed the building relationship between him and Rose.
There were some equally quality scenes involving Maura Williams and Anna Pearson as Signora di Moreno and Ceserina di Moreno as we witnessed life in Italy. Both played their part in a believable way without over emphasising the characteristics of these people. Finally mention of Steve Siddle as the mild police officer whose attitude takes on a sudden change upon the death of his daughter, Ges Taylor as a stereotypical country vicar and Martyn Read who participated as part of the ‘chorus’ providing the scene references along with others. Each played their part well and kept the action flowing.
Costumes and hair were well considered and in keeping while lighting was effective within the limits of a venue such as a village hall.
Congratulation to Alvechurch Dramatic Society and to author Alan Clarke and director Chris Davies as well as all involved. I hope this is not the last opportunity for this play to see the light of day as it deserves further performances and I am sure Alan will continue to work on this play to further develop it.
Thank you and I look forward to seeing everyone again in the foreseeable future.