Review: Curtain Up, Lyndhurst Drama and Musical Society
THE dangers of bequests in a will are superbly illustrated in Lyndhurst Drama and Musical Society's production of Curtain Up! by award-winning playwright Peter Quilter, which premiered in 2004.
Deceased Michael certainly put a cat among the pigeons when he left his beloved, but dilapidated, theatre to the five women in his life: his daughter Theresa, his ex-wife Pam, his mother Betty, his secretary Sharon and, finally, Jackie his lover and the woman he left his wife for. The women all knew Michael differently, and likewise, each woman brings a different dimension to the plot.
After many deliberations, they plan to bring the theatre back to life again. They try various fundraising schemes but their most ambitious is to hold a concert featuring local talent and embark on an outrageous quest to tempt Broadway legend Liza Minnelli to perform at their new theatre. But the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley.
Di Buck was strong as Pam, the ex-wife who is understandably resentful at being thrown into close proximity with Jackie, stylishly played by Michele Arkle. Not surprisingly the main fireworks are between them with very funny, direct and acidic remarks, insults and retorts.
As an erstwhile singer Pam is persuaded to stand in for the flu-ridden Liza in an attempt to save the concert but stage-fright strikes her dumb and she can't sing one note.
Hilary Causey was great fun as Betty, Michael's down-to-earth mother, delivering very waspish humour and Gemma Wilks was splendid as Sharon, a goth-like lovable yoga-loving free spirit – a far cry from any secretary I have known.
Rebecca Harper in her first role with the Society was brilliant as Theresa, the central character who draws pure compassion. She is the glue holding the quintet together, a young girl with a passion for the theatre. One gets the feeling that she is lonely, grieving and sincere in all she says and does. It is Theresa who opens the play and it is she who closes it with a very poignant promise to her father that in spite of the fund-raising concert failing, they would all be back to fulfil his wishes.
Directed with great aplomb by Jenny Green, this was an entertaining 'good fun' evening, rapturously applauded by the full audience.
Alison Smith