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Faringdon Folly

Candleford: not far from Faringdon

A LEAP back in time to rural Oxfordshire towards the end of the Victorian era was the setting of Candleford, this autumn's production by the Faringdon Dramatic Society.

Based on the Flora Thompson novel 'Lark Rise to Candleford' the play was adapted by Keith Dewhurst, and performed in the round at the Junior School with a seven piece band playing on stage.

On entering the theatre the band is already playing and feet are already tapping. There's a rustic feel to the setting and it's not long before the comedy comes to the fore. The cast is large, with six actors playing more than one part, the music and singing playing an important and integral part

This was a time when people were supposed to know their place in society and much of the comedy is through the one upmanship and banter amongst the characters.

Candleford is the story of one day in the life of Laura Timms, a young girl, played by Clare Matthews, who joins the post office in Candleford run by the severe and correct, but kind, Dorcas Lane, played by Amanda Linstead. Many comedy moments come from the three stooges in the forge, played by Richard Lock, Allan Dover and Gary Field (pictured) as well as the 'dying for gossip' servant Zillah (Carolyn Taylor) and the curmudgeonly Mrs Gubbins (Karen Whiffen). A special mention must be made of Katie Dyet for her Loony Joe role, which must have caused some physical discomfort.

Even though no horses are present they came to life through the motions of the the galloping huntsmen and women led by Sir Timothy and Sir Austen (Alan Taylor and Adrian Wells). The pair of old soldiers played by John Taylor and Dave Headey conjured up images of old India very effectively. The best came at the end with the Hunt Ball where in a surprise ending half of the audience suddenly found themselves in an improvised circle dance. A wonderful and uplifting finale to an entertaining evening.

Review: Al Cane

National Operatic & Dramatic Association

London Area Report

Society
Production
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Report by FARINGDON DRAMATIC SOCIETY

My thanks to Karen Whiffen, your secretary for your invitation, which was part of your 60th celebration. As stated in your programme, this was the sequel to Lark Rise which you performed at the celebration of 50 years of your Society. I was fortunate to be present at that event also. The Director then was Dave Headey, assisted by Carolyn Taylor. It was interesting to note that eight members of the 50th anniversary were now very much involved on stage with the 60th anniversary event. Long may you be associated with the Society.

Director – Debbie Lock – had given this production much thought in the planning stages. Her vision of the show was excellent, and to have done it in the “round2 was a great success. The eight Musicians, playing on the stage were a joy to listen to, and so much in keeping with the style of the late 1800s. Congratulations to all of you.

The play moved with pace, and everyone seemed very confident with what they were doing. It is not that easy for any actor, when you are so close to your audience. The three people involved with moving the props on and off the stage, did so with precision and a minimum of fuss, and they were appropriately dressed. Well done.

This play had a large cast, and unfortunately I cannot comment on each character. However I can say there were no weak links in the production, and everyone was alert to their character, and seemed as if they were enjoying what they were doing.

The Principal Characters:

Laura Timms – Clare Matthews - .gave a very convincing performance, good clear diction, and made good use of the “open stage”, was relaxed in all she did, and her previous experience in youth drama was evident. Well done.
Dorcas Lane – Amanda Linstead – a polished performance from an experienced actor. Looked good on stage, and her timing and deliverance of the spoken word was superb.
Zillah – Carolyn Taylor – another fine performance from a very experienced member of the Society. Showed many of the facets of her experience to good effect, from both body language to facial expressions. She seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed playing the character. Well done.
Bavour – Allan Dover; Solomon – Richard Lock; Bill – Gary Field – I do not wish to separate these three actors, as they worked so well as a “team”. Their singing was clear and melodious, and some of their antics and facial expressions brought a smile to the faces of the audience – especially the bath scene!! Good performances from you all.
Mrs Gubbins – Karen Whiffen – came over well to the audience in her character part, and seemed to be enjoying being the nosey parker of the village. In Lark Rise she was Mrs Beamish – now she had moved onwards, and upwards! Made good use of her facial expressions, and I was flattered to be asked by her, to accompany her in the final “Knees-up”!
Thomas Brown, Sir Austin – Adrian Wells – a man of many parts, again in Lark Rise he played three characters – Pumpkin, Sharman and Jerry Parrish. Very versatile on stage, good diction, and he made good use of the stage.

As stated previously, everyone worked as a team, and the detail that was put into some of the scenes was excellent, eg the Hunt (the way the horses were ridden, the stroking of the mane) and the Hunt Ball – the minute detail is so important.

I cannot let this show pass without making reference to Looney Joe – Katie Dyet – there is only one word to describe her character role – BRILLIANT. She must have practices for hours in front of a mirror – her facial expressions, her hand and leg movements, and the way she tried to copy other people’s gestures was unforgettable. I wonder if she had studied someone who was deaf and dumb.

Sitting so close to the actors obviously means that one can pick up much closer various detail of clothing etc – you are so fortunate in your Society of having two such talented Costume Designers – Jeni Summerfield and Joan Lee – for every show they produce such authentic costumes, and this show was no exception. There was no reference to Make Up in the programme. I felt that the three working at the anvil would not have been so clean, and Bavour’s T-shirt was an excellent advertisement for one of the washing powders – brilliant white! Mr Chitty – Dave Headey had a wonderful array of medals, but I wasn’t aware that NODA had awarded 25 year service awards in the 1800s (considering they were founded in 1899).

The Set – designed by Jo Webster – another experienced “back room” campaigner – ideal set. I liked the detail of the snow on the window panes, and the smithy. Well constructed by your team of helpers.

The Programme – Dave Headey – this contained all the relevant detail for the audience, on good quality paper, and easy to read.

This was another interesting evenings entertainment, enjoyed by a full house, and the climax of the 60th anniversary.

Your Society can look back on another successful year, and Director – Debbie Lock, and her Assistant Director – Dave Headey and Musical Director – Carol Warren – have contributed to this success.

Oxfordshire Drama Network

ODN Review

Director, Debbie Lock, set the mood for 'Candleford' as soon as we took our seats, front of house ladies all in period costume and the simple country dance style music under the direction of Carol Warren-Smith, being played on the stage. There was even a fortune teller wandering through the audience!

Performed 'in the round' we felt involved as the story unfolded, although it was quite hard to imagine feeling the snowy cold in a very warm hall.

The post office was set at one end with the anvil opposite, period costumed men and women moved various pieces of furniture onto the centre for scene changes - I would have liked the musicians to have carried on playing until the scenes were set, after all they could see the scenes being changed - sometimes there were silent pauses, however this is a minor quibble.

The whole cast entered, singing with lovely harmonies, from different parts of the audience, representing all aspects of village life. Laura Timms, (Clare Matthews) as narrator, started a little too fast but soon settled and gave a pleasant performance, she was perhaps a little too pretty for the line 'obviously not in the front line when good looks were given out' but it gave us all a laugh.

Dorcas Lane, (Amanda Linstead) was played with grace, dignity, kindness and good diction. I loved the mimed door when Miss Lane caught the nosey maid Zillah eavesdropping.

Zillah, (Carolyn Taylor) was terrific, really good facial expressions, perhaps she needed more ageing make-up? All the make-up looked really natural, especially as we were so close, but there was a line mentioning Zillah's great age and I simply didn't believe it! (I didn't hear her 'banging about upstairs' either)

Looney Joe,( Katie Dyet) was very good, I didn't know it was a girl until I looked at the programme, she was totally believable and kept up the character even when singing at the back of the choir. We believed in Joe and wanted to help him - careful thought had obviously gone into making this character true.

I thought the hunting scene was nicely dressed and the mimed horses very well done and Real Food on the plates was a touch of genius - difficult for actors to eat and drink and speak lines but they all did it very well.

The Hunt Ball was nicely set and the country plough lads with their Morris Dancing were fun

I thought Miss Lane would have had a couple of nice easy chairs in her house instead of the upright ones but again a minor point.

Nice finale with the cast gathering together to sing in harmony once again

There was such a big cast it would be impossible to mention them all but I liked the Sgt's (John Taylor) soldierly bearing, Minnie (Alex Aspel) was nicely acted although a little hard to hear sometimes, Mrs Gubbins (Karen Whiffen) was sufficiently grumpy although not all the time! (would she have worn trousers?) the three blacksmiths were fun and sang well and the religious postman, (Adrian Wells) swaggered happily with his, not too heavy, postbag.

The production team headed by Sarah Varnom gave Director, Debbie Lock, every assistance towards this entertaining production.

Director, Debbie Lock, deserves many congratulations on this production. The attention to detail was phenomenal and when added to the well rehearsed, (prompt Jayne Isham not needed), talented cast we were presented with a very enjoyable evening.

Deidre Jones