A Better You
Sun, 13 Nov 2011, 01:57 pmGordon the Optom1 post in thread
A Better You
Sun, 13 Nov 2011, 01:57 pm‘A Better You’ is a comedy / farce written by playwright, Mark C. Bourne. Born in Kent in the late 1960s, Mark now lives on the east coast of Australia. This production is by the Stirling Theatre Players, at the Stirling Theatre, Morris Place, Innaloo. This two hour play runs nightly at 8.00 pm until the 26th November with matinees on Sunday the 13th and 20th at 2.00 pm
The profits of one performance have generously been donated to the Australian Leukodystrophy* Support Group.
*Nerves carry signals down the myelin sheaths around the outside of the nerve fibres. In Multiple Sclerosis this coating breaks up and signals aren’t transmitted properly. In Leukodystrophy, sadly the reverse takes place, and the myelin thickens, especially in the brain, and this leads to degeneration of the Cerebrum.
In the Community Hall of a small Australian country town, the Women’s Group is about to have its weekly meeting. The usual organiser has gone to Sydney on ‘holiday’ and the pedantic Cathy-Anne (Shawna Doyle) has been asked to come along and give a talk.
Bella (Karin Staflund) is first to arrive, she has marital problems that she doesn’t like to discuss – but the others are quite happy to behind her back! The shy middle-aged virgin, Josie (Elizabeth Jansen), who cares for her annoying aging mother, may have some surprising news for the group.
Next to arrive is schoolteacher, Patricia (Carole Wilson), on the verge of a nervous breakdown as a result of student abuse, and she is accompanied by the local doctor’s yuppie wife, Constance (Janet Brandwood).
As the visiting speaker takes her third phone call, in as many minutes, from her ‘disabled’ husband, the group settles down and awaits the start of the lecture. The talk is to be on personal development, taking control of your life – A Better You.
Just as Cathy-Anne starts her introduction, Mildred (Ann Barker – excellent) decked out in boot skootin outfit and scooter crash helmet, staggers in. Cathy-Anne tries to exert her authority with little success.
When a severe mishap happens to one of the group, what should they do? They are just about agreed on the appropriate action, when self-opinionated Maxine (Amanda Ford) and her wimpy husband, Clifford (Jason Forbes) arrive. Now the group are really stuck.
I was surprised to hear that this is director, Fran Gordon’s, first attempt at directing a full length play. She has done an excellent job keeping the movement and panic well handled. The pace and chemistry between the actors was perfect in the first half, but whether they became physically tired I am not sure, but once or twice in the second act the flow slowed noticeably.
The set was most authentic, with all the little touches that made it appear straight from the village hall.
The lighting was uneven with one side of the stage quite a lot dimmer than the other. The many sound effects (Ian Wilson) were well recorded and convincing.
Yes, a few teething troubles, but generally a great team with good comic timing and delivery, a very funny play, with plenty of laughs and mad moments. A very good night out.
‘A Better You’ is a comedy / farce written by playwright, Mark C. Bourne. Born in Kent in the late 1960s, Mark now lives on the east coast of Australia. This production is by the Stirling Theatre Players, at the Stirling Theatre, Morris Place, Innaloo. This two hour play runs nightly at 8.00 pm until the 26th November with matinees on Sunday the 13th and 20th at 2.00 pm
The profits of one performance have generously been donated to the Australian Leukodystrophy* Support Group.
*Nerves carry signals down the myelin sheaths around the outside of the nerve fibres. In Multiple Sclerosis this coating breaks up and signals aren’t transmitted properly. In Leukodystrophy, sadly the reverse takes place, and the myelin thickens, especially in the brain, and this leads to degeneration of the Cerebrum.
In the Community Hall of a small Australian country town, the Women’s Group is about to have its weekly meeting. The usual organiser has gone to Sydney on ‘holiday’ and the pedantic Cathy-Anne (Shawna Doyle) has been asked to come along and give a talk.
Bella (Karin Staflund) is first to arrive, she has marital problems that she doesn’t like to discuss – but the others are quite happy to behind her back! The shy middle-aged virgin, Josie (Elizabeth Jansen), who cares for her annoying aging mother, may have some surprising news for the group.
Next to arrive is schoolteacher, Patricia (Carole Wilson), on the verge of a nervous breakdown as a result of student abuse, and she is accompanied by the local doctor’s yuppie wife, Constance (Janet Brandwood).
As the visiting speaker takes her third phone call, in as many minutes, from her ‘disabled’ husband, the group settles down and awaits the start of the lecture. The talk is to be on personal development, taking control of your life – A Better You.
Just as Cathy-Anne starts her introduction, Mildred (Ann Barker – excellent) decked out in boot skootin outfit and scooter crash helmet, staggers in. Cathy-Anne tries to exert her authority with little success.
When a severe mishap happens to one of the group, what should they do? They are just about agreed on the appropriate action, when self-opinionated Maxine (Amanda Ford) and her wimpy husband, Clifford (Jason Forbes) arrive. Now the group are really stuck.
I was surprised to hear that this is director, Fran Gordon’s, first attempt at directing a full length play. She has done an excellent job keeping the movement and panic well handled. The pace and chemistry between the actors was perfect in the first half, but whether they became physically tired I am not sure, but once or twice in the second act the flow slowed noticeably.
The set was most authentic, with all the little touches that made it appear straight from the village hall.
The lighting was uneven with one side of the stage quite a lot dimmer than the other. The many sound effects (Ian Wilson) were well recorded and convincing.
Yes, a few teething troubles, but generally a great team with good comic timing and delivery, a very funny play, with plenty of laughs and mad moments. A very good night out.