Lucky Sods

‘Lucky Sods’ written by BAFTA winner John Godber, is directed by Peter Kirkwood. This play is showing at the Princess May Building, on the corner of Cantonment & Parry Streets, Fremantle. The season runs until the 25^th July. All shows at 8.00 pm.

         In a house in Yorkshire, married couple Jean (Nicola Bond) and Morris Sod (Rory Mitchell) are scraping to pay the bills. Morris chose some numbers on the Lotto but Jean changed them! Did they win as much as they hoped that they would? Will the result bring happiness or more strife - especially when sister Annie (Ann Speicher) and her husband Norman (John Forde) find out?

Rather than a comedy, this is actually quite a serious drama with many funny, but bittersweet, passages. All of the actors are above average with diction, pace and delivery, but I feel that because of the genre of the script, that the more restrained deliveries of Norm and Mum (Joan Scafe) worked better. The other parts being capably played by Grace Hitchin, David Champion, Jill Thomas and Kim Moore.

Appropriate choice of music and costumes. Unfortunately, however, the set and lighting tended to constantly distract. The stage was divided into three, a left and right quarter where all of the (minimal) props and action were.  The actors needed to be closer together. Then there was a large central area with virtually no props, décor or points of interest. The backdrop was totally plain blue and distracting.

The stage was over lit, if few props are to be used, then select areas and employ discrete, specific lighting. The actors were spot lit, but the main floods were left on for most of the whole show. Even daylight scenes, such as the cycling scene with Morris and his friend, could have been more ‘focused’ with minimal light.

The set dressing really requires a great deal more interest, but I suspect that the organised stage crew were already working efficiently to their max. Any chance of getting a couple of extra helpers and increasing the props?

Despite all of the skills, effort and a few interesting twists, this show was sadly nothing new. Sorry.