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Faringdon Folly

Set was star of the show

THE CURTAIN opened in the hall of Faringdon's Junior School, to an exquisitely built set, which immediately took the audience back to the 1940s and Brooklyn, New York.

The set for Faringdon Dramatic Society's latest production was beautifully designed and built by Jo Webster and the set construction team, which set the whole scene for a wonderful evening's entertainment.

The cast all gave very convincing performances. The minor parts were played with great enthusiasm and the American accents were very convincing and very well delivered; something that many professionals find difficult to master.

Daniel Lander, although no Cary Grant, gave a vibrant portrayal of Mortimer Brewster and held the audience in the palm of his hand with his good timing and professional acting. He had great command of the stage and very strong stage presence. Carolyn Taylor and Joan Lee were perfectly cast as the murderous sisters, Abby and Martha Brewster.

The parts were played with great sensitivity and humour, quite perfect! They had just the right amount of gentility and old worldliness about them. Both obviously experienced actors.

Gary Thompson played the part of Teddy Brewster and he brought to the part a sympathetic touch. Sarah Couzens, who gave a very sparkling and attractive performance, played Elaine. The parts of Jonathan Brewster and Dr. Einstein were brilliantly played by Peter Webster and Adrian Wells, giving just the right amount of menace and humour to the parts.

This was an impressively professional play on all fronts. The lighting was very effective and the costumes beautifully put together. A lot of effort was made in covering every small detail.

The director, Jo Webster should be very proud of this production, she had obviously spent a lot of time researching this play and the audience were delighted with the final production.

Review by Michelle Addison and Sally Dawson

National Operatic & Dramatic Association

London Area Report

I always look forward to your productions, and once again I was treated to an enjoyable evening's entertainment. I have said many times before, you are fortunate to have a dedicated team of enthusiastic members who work extremely hard for the Society.

Director - Jo Webster, I met at the interval, and we had quite a chat. Jo is a seasoned campaigner, and her experience showed. She had created another excellent set, on a very limited stage, and the attention to detail on the set was first class; one little thing did puzzle me - did you have a front door? we heard the 'knocker' in use - but I never heard the door open or close, especially when Elaine left in a hurry.

The action of the play was set in the Brewster's home (living room) in Brooklyn in the early 40s. The play was in three acts, with two intervals - one for 20mins. when we could partake of refreshments - including 'Elderberry Wine' - not from the decanter used by the Brewster sisters! The audience must have been superstitious, because I saw no one drinking it!! The second interval was for 10mins. when the raffle was drawn. The play moved along at pace - which was excellent - and there were very few prompts.

The cast in order of appearance -

Abby Brewster - Carolyn Taylor, Martha Brewster - Joan Lee.
I can not separate these two actresses, they were excellent in their characters; typical spinsters, who acted at times with naivety, and cunningness. Their facial expressions and diction was of the highest order, and they extracted every ounce of humour and satire from their characters. Congratulations.

The Rev.Dr.Harper & Lieutenant Rooney - John Taylor. A very busy actor and Producer of this show. This experienced actor again showed his versatility, firstly as the friendly vicar to his parishioners, and a somewhat worried father, about his daughter's late nights out, with the man about town -

Mortimer Brewster.
Then as Lieutenant Rooney of the Brooklyn Police Force - a very forceful character who was very much in charge, and on the ball. Again good clear diction, and he made good use of the stage.

Teddy Brewster - Gary Thompson. Acted well, and kept up the character throughout. Good clear diction, and he had thought about his role in depth. Well done.

Officer Brophy - Dave Header, & Officer Klein - Steve Shpppard-
Both officers complimented each other, and did all that was asked of them.

Elaine Harper - Sarah Couzens. Played the part just right, must have felt 'mixed up' in the way she was treated by Mortimer, and having to be the righteous vicar's daughter. Good facial expressions, and her emotions were well and truly shown. I'm not sure that I liked her outfit - perhaps, this chosen for a reason?

Mortimer Brewster - Daniel Lander, His class showed. He knew exactly what was required from the character, and he played it to perfection. His timing was first class, and some of his facial expressions had the audience in giggles. Dr. Einstein did a good job of tying his feet together, which caused quite a problem for Officer Klein when he had to untie him. He made full use of the stage, and was in complete control of everything he did. Congratulations.

Jonathan Brewster - Peter Webster & Dr. Einstein - Adrian Wells.
Again, these two actors were to some extent inseparable, they worked well as a team, -and certainly Dr.Einstein kept his angular poise throughout the show. Both had excellent make-up. Perhaps, Jonathan could have been a little more menacing at times - after all he was very experienced at finishing people off, in a very different way to his aunts...

Mr.Hoskins - Rob Thorpe. Word perfect, and a 'limp' performance in the best sense of the word.

Mr.Gibbs - David Campbell: did all that was asked of him, and I'm sure he's glad he did not partake of the 'Elderberry wine'!!

Officer O'Hara - Gary Bates. Came over well, and the audience had a laugh when Act3 scene 2 opened. He was very convincing as to his future role in writing plays. Some good dialogue with Mortimer.

Mr.Witherspoon - David Field. A gentleman to his fingertips, who ran the Nursing Home in a very sympathetic manner. He did not deserve the ending he had..

The whole cast had worked on their American accents, and sustained they were throughout the whole play. Well done to you all. The back up by the whole production team was again slick. Attention to detail was of the highest order, from Wardrobe, Make-up, Set Construction, Lighting, Sound, etc. The Front of House Staff greeted everyone with a smile, and looked well dressed in their black pullovers with the Faringdon Logo. I would have liked to have seen some publicity photographs of the cast, and os shots taken during rehearsals, or set building on the screens in the hall. They could act as a P.R. exercise for the Company.

It is the best play that I have seen in my region this season, and I will be submitting this play for the London N.O.D.A. Region - Ron Kench Shield for Drama.

GARETH JEREMY. REGION 12.
NODA LONDON For Services to Amateur Theatre

Arsenic and Old Lace