REVIEW - Weston Mercury and Somersetshire Herald Friday October 24th 1958 - "PRESENT LAUGHTER" IS GRANDLY GAY

 

WESTON DRAMATIC SOCIETY PRODUCTION 'ONE OF ITS BEST'

​

"Present Laughter" is the title and present laughter

it certainly provides in Weston Dramatic Society's

production at the Playhouse this week. The play,

by Noel Coward, bears revival exceedingly well,

and Joan Ward's production ranks among the best

the society has achieved in the post-war years.

It is not an easy play for amateurs, since it is

concerned with the lives of professional theatre

folk, the leading character being one of the 

outstanding actors of his day. Much of its humour 

is forthright, but there is also a great deal of subtle

wit which needs skilled pointing.

Mrs. Ward and her cast must have worked hard to

achieve so satisfying a presentation, particularly

as the players include several who have had little

stage experience.

The first act on the opening night needed more

pace, and at its beginning the lady members of the

cast did not get their voices over well. There was

no cause for complaint about this later, and if they

can bear in mind that good attack is all-important

from the moment the curtain is up, this will be a production without any major blemish.

        Natural Movement

Movement is easy and natural, and skilled direction has obviously gone into the handling of situations. The only fault in an otherwise admirable setting of the actor's studio is the curtain draping across one entrance. One expects it to be dropped at some time or other to unveil a statue or picture. One could also, at moments, see members of the cast back-stage behind it.

As Garry Essendine, the famous actor who is always acting, even in his private life, Paul Dening has the most difficult and most successful part he has contributed to the local amateur stage.

He carries "the great Garry" magnificently and achieves a performance that is deliciously appreciative of the witty subtleties of the role. There were just one or two patches on the opening night when he was not absolutely in character, but, in general, his playing is admirable, and is lit with tremendous zest.

One senses that this part appeals to Mr. Dening's sense of humour more than any he has played. He relishes every moment of it - and so does the audience.

        Outstanding Scene

The first scene of Act 2 is one of the best pieces of acting by amateurs I

have ever seen. It is between two people, Garry, and attractive Joanna,

who is out to add just another man to her many conquests.

This is a well-written scene, and Mr. Dening and Barbara Coates, who

plays Joanna, make the most of it. One has a sense of completeness in

the playing - that all the nuances are there, and that one is missing

nothing.

The producer was exceedingly fortunate to be able to achieve such

perfect casting for the role of Joanna. Barbara Coates has the looks for

the part, and is superbly capable of just the type of playing required.

As Garry's wife, Liz, a noted actress, Jean Rowe achieves satisfying

illusion. In this play Miss Rowe has suddenly become a mature actress,

and I hope that in a future production the Society will give her the big

chance her capabilities obviously merit.

        The Secretary

With just a little stronger projection - more of managerial assurance,

Valerie Chubb would be first rate as Garry's secretary, Monica Reed. Her

playing has appealing personality, but it needs to be a little more relaxed

and lively.

There is engaging naivete in Mary Chubb's playing of Daphne Stillington,

the bright young thing who adores Garry, and who so designedly loses

her latch-key. The part is well spoken and acted, but here again needs a

little more zest and fullness.

Leighton Norman and Neville Redman contribute effective, breezily-

conceived performances as Henry Lippiatt and Morris Dixon, other

members of the theatrical "syndicate" while Brian Pike gets a great deal

of fun out of his part of the crazy young playwright, Roland Maule. Jill

Redman ably contributes the brief role of Lady Saltburn, and there are

neat performances by Sheila Banwell as the housekeeper, Miss Erikson,

and Michael Marlow as Fred, the man-servant.

The stage manager is K.M. Ward, who has assistance of J.R. Pugh and G. Buchan. W.O. Beament is business manager, his assistant being D. Hemming. Mrs. D. Dening is wardrobe mistress.

Final performances are on Saturday, when there is a matinee.                                                                         "EVERYMAN"