Deckchairs

‘Deckchairs’ by playwright Jean McConnell is a selection of four lively, and very different, short plays set on the south coast of England. They were performed in the most comfortable, 120-seat Harbour Theatre now situated in the Port Cineaste Building, 70 Adelaide Street, Fremantle (opposite Woolworths). Unfortunately, I attended the last performance of this show on the 20^th March so the run is finished.

‘Theatrical Digs’ Young Pascaline (Nicola Bond) finds an empty deckchair on the beach, next to Maggie (Joan Scafe), a trendy looking old soul, sleeping in her chair. When Maggie awakes, Pascaline has great joy in boringly relating how she is the ‘megastar’ of the local pier theatre. However, Maggie does not hesitate in taking her down a peg or two, with stories of her own.

This was a comical offering, giving Joan yet another zany character to depict. Nicola was good, but not at her best in this play – to be honest she looked exhausted, which is understandable after the months of hassle and stress moving the theatre (thanks, we love you) – but like a real trouper, she still gave good value.

‘The Guilt Card.’ Two sisters, the bullying hypochondriacal, Deborah (Ann Speicher) and the downtrodden, guilt-ridden Marion (Sue Lynch) are having a picnic on the beach. Marion has plenty to tell her sister – if only she would listen!

Ann was wonderful as the bitch of a sister, with no one in her life except herself. Sue captured the pathetic and tragic younger sister, who is still, after years of misery, under her sibling’s spell. Described as ‘a twist-in-the-tail series of half hour, short stories each involving two women’, I unfortunately found these first two plays to be a little long, and would have benefited if trimmed by ten minutes, as the punch line in each play was seen well in advance.

‘Short Changed’ takes place at the top of a cliff, overlooking the sea and surrounding countryside. Miss Westlake (Joan Scafe) has come for her appointment with Julia (Sue Lynch), the director in charge of one of the finest retirement homes on the coast. Julia likes to vet all of her applicants, before possibly offering them a place in the prestigious home. During their informal chat, it seems that they have a mutual friend.

Once again, Joan was superb, this time as the pedantic old lady, who primly demands the highest standards. In this play, Sue was empowered, contrasting beautifully with her part in the first play. Whilst chatting after the show, I found several patrons had totally missed the jealous, love triangle, having assumed the theme to be solely about narrow-mindedness.

‘Day trippers’ On a works outing to the seaside, brash Beryl (Ann Speicher) and prudish Doris (Nicola Bond) are walking along the sand, which despite the fine day is mysteriously deserted. Whilst they gossip about their workmates and recount a few stories relating to the firm, they are horrified on seeing their friends near the water’s edge.

Ann was wonderful as the brazen worker, at ease with her body. Nicola was back on form, giving a hilarious performance as the easily shocked friend.

Director, Harbour’s stalwart Peter Kirkwood, has cast and directed the characters perfectly. With four of community theatre’s best actresses, the personalities of the eight ladies were captured perfectly.

The Harbour Theatre Company, and its friends, is to be congratulated on bringing to life this comfortable venue. Comfy seats with ample legroom. Good acoustics and the lighting rigs are well positioned. The very wide stage may prove a problem for some plays in the future, unless wings are built (I know it is all money and hard labour) or perhaps selective lighting may have to be brought into action.

The number of stairs is a problem for some elderly. Is there any access through the emergency exits at the sides of the stage? As this would cut out dozens of steps for the infirm. VERY many congratulations on the new venue – long may it last. A super start to your new home.