Sheila’s Island was an evening to remember with a strong cast and excellent director
A SPLENDID sunset over an island and strains of A Sleepy Lagoon set the scene for Lyndhurst Drama and Musical Society’s production of Sheila’s Island by Tim Firth, adapted in 2022 from his previous work, Neville’s Island.
While taking part in a team-building exercise in November, four out-of-condition, middle-aged businesswomen take a wrong turn and succeed in becoming stranded on an inhospitable island in the Lake District; a perfect chance to show their initiative, resourcefulness and cooperation but unfortunately this does not happen.
Di Buck was great as the ineffective, cryptic-crossword-solving team leader Sheila and Sarah Short was superb as bullying joker Denise who both stumble onto the stage, sopping wet and bedraggled after their boat has hit rocks and sunk. They are soon joined by Cally van der Pauw as enthusiastic but scatty Julie who has come over-equipped for the trek; ‘all the gear and no idea’. Ingrid Bond as the quiet, godly, nature-loving Fay joins them a little later, really excited because she has just seen a rare gyrhawk.
The tension grows as they become hungry, the night draws in and they become enveloped with thick fog. What should have been a bonding experience turns into a muddy fight for survival. The only food they have is a small sausage which gets tipped into the lake by mistake, the only aeroplane they see is streaming an advertisement and the only boat that passes nearby is staging a loud Disco party and can’t hear them.
As the days progress, their different personalities clash with each other. Denise’s undermining jokes become barbed and offensive, mocking Fay’s Christian optimism, even leading Julie to suspect that her husband Angus is ‘playing away’ while she is on the expedition.
Julie’s Tardis-like rucksack is filled with useful (and useless) items including a large knife and a flare, the latter of no use since they are surrounded by firework displays. When they set out in search of whatever has left a bloodstained mark on a tree, they are armed with a catapult, a large stick, Julie’s knife and a spatula (Fay doesn’t want to harm anything).
A strong cast excellently directed by Stevie Parker along with stunning set design made this an evening to remember.
Alison Smith
