Review: New Forest Players in Janet Shaw’s Charade
CHARADE, presented by New Forest Players, was certainly not what I expected. I had seen the 1963 Cary Grant film but this play, written by Janet Shaw, was an entirely different story. Music from the film Zorba the Greek set the scene for this lovely comedy with an interesting twist at the end of the tale.
The action is set in 1970 in a taverna on the island of Xantos where Kate and Steven are to marry. Their families haven't met before they arrive from England and, on meeting, the mothers take an instant dislike of each other. Both Wendy Howard-Allen, in her first main part with the Players, as the rather posh Felicity, Kate's mother, and Sara Woodley, an acting newcomer, as the down-to-earth Londoner Rene, Steven's mother, were terrific in their roles, constantly spitting invectives at each other.
Emily Norris, also in her first main part, was Kate and Martin Cox was Steven, the sympathetic pair busily trying to stop their mothers ruining the wedding. Courtney Fereday carried the play as Alex, the bride's cousin who, following her father's death four years earlier, came to Xantos to run the taverna, while Sandi Cox was superb fun as Izzie, Kate's 'mad' aunt who has run away from an asylum. Their faultless delivery of their long scripts only added to the fun.
Another newcomer George Maclean-Wade was excellent as Nico, a fisherman who hangs around the taverna and Michael Deacon came over well as Danny, the best man, the pair carousing around the town. They were soon joined by Colin Bailey, the harassed Richard who has unexpectedly turned up for his daughter's wedding only to be surprised by the presence of other members at the ceremony. I will not divulge any more in case anybody gets the chance to see this brilliant play in the future.
Len Reid directed the 13-strong talented cast, many of whom were newcomers, aided by a skilled backstage crew with splendid set designers who transformed Ballard School stage into a veritable corner of Greece complete with sunshine and olive trees. An evening thoroughly enjoyed by the sell-out audience.
Alison Smith
