Trivial Pursuits
Written by: Frank Vickery
Directed by: Phil Davis
September 2011
he Blackmore Amateur Theatrical Society are about to cast their next production and due to the credit crunch, Nick their director has to wrestle with some difficult choices in financing and casting the production. So he invites a few actors and some of the committee to a summer barbecue at his home to announce his decision. As the evening progresses, and the alcohol flows Nick ends up promising a different show and the lead part to more than one actor! Meanwhile the party goes into the wee small hours revealing a blackmail plot, a possible affair, an attempted suicide and a twist at the end that will surprise you all.Cast List
Character
Actor
Teddy
Barry Kirk
Derek
Simon Haskell
Nick
Mike Jefferyes
Eddie
John Hughes
Joyce
Irene Davis
Mona
Sharon Free
Roz
Linda Raymond
Deidre
Glenys Young
Jessica
Leila Francis
Pearl
Joan Lanario
Reviews
A summer evening's barbeque is the setting for a meeting of 'The Blackmore Amateur Operatic Society' where their next production is going to be announced by their stressed director Nick, (Mike Jefferyes) who has promised the lead roles of different musicals to four people. As the evening progresses each character's foibles are revealed. Joyce, (Irene Davis) once talented is now a drunk, - her rendition of 'I am what I am' was very funny. Teddy (nicely played by Barry Kirk) is the old camp luvvie who loves to bitch, and his last scene dressed up in basque & fishnet tights showed just how much he enjoyed the production even if his singing was a bit off key! Derek (Simon Haskell) is a depressive, suicidal & pathetic business man with a divorce looming which was played very convincingly. Another strong performance by Sharon Free who played the 'old cow' Mona wanting to constantly produce West Side Story and will do everything, even trying blackmail to get her way.A very realistic set and good choice of songs from musicals before the start of the show helped to set the scene with excellent props. There were many funny moments during this play which made me laugh but I must admit it did seem to go on a bit too long and maybe some cuts could have been made. At times the pace flagged and there were some prompts and searching for lines. Occasional blocking issues where people were masked and where the director should have checked his sight lines. These are minor points though as the whole cast and crew had worked very hard to make this an enjoyable summer's evening at their lovely venue.
Christine Davidson, NODA