By Helen Mills SE Area NODA Rep
Adapted from the Novel by H G Wells
I was very much looking forward to coming and seeing this new play written and directed by the author. Alan has, as he admits, fifty years experience in the theatre but this is a new venture for him which I hope he has found rewarding, though I am sure there have been many heart-aches in the process of bringing this baby from its birth to a full grown adult. He has explained some of these difficulties in his notes for the programme, such as casting, rehearsals, improvisations and the demands of scenery and lighting to mention but a few!
The part of Mr Polly was of course the glue which held the whole thing together and Richard Peachey rose to the challenge, playing the ‘put-down’ and the angry young man, the married man, the arsonist, the suicidal, the defender of rights and finally the older and more settled man. There were many emotions to portray in these roles and he achieved in making us believe in all of them. Well done Richard! Other members of the company played many parts and were all good in their sometimes miniscule but at other times more major roles. Bronwen Elliott as Miriam acted the part well. I liked Steve Rowland in his roles, my goodness that was the fastest wedding ever!
Paul Asher played Gervace and Voules but I particularly appreciated Uncle Jim, I was really scared. Elaine Burns as Mrs Larkins, Claire Stimpson as Annie, Nicole Woods as Minnie (and at the picnic) were all nicely portrayed. Maurice Buckley playing four parts was particularly good as the irascible Uncle Penstemon and the half-drowned ferry passenger. Phil Wilcox and Annabelle Farrell played Mr & Mrs Johnson well. Carol McGlone as May, then as the plump lady-she had a plum (or plump as you wish!) role and I enjoyed her portrayal as the landlady of The Potwell Inn, a comfortable body just right for Alfred in the evening of his days. Elaine Burns, also as “the old lady” didn’t want to jump off the burning shop, and who could blame her? A nice little part also at the wedding. Graham Fisher was good as the magistrate and appeared along with Oliver Forsyth at the picnic, cameo parts again. Christabel nicely played by Isobel Ackerman on the wall and the picnic. I hoped she enjoyed the transition from the Nomes. Ellie Eves and Alannah Winn-Taylor the two youngsters playing the mischievous and cheeky children; they obviously enjoyed their roles. Well done one and all. The costumes and make up were of the period, some nice millinery, very effective. (Don’t pull the zip up on the frock being sewn! A very minor crit!)
The set was well thought out. I liked the back projection which established the many scenes. The burning building was very effective and so was the river shown by lighting. Effective use also was made by the thrust stage, first floor window, punt and the side entrances,
There were some excellent props, the tea things at various times, the food at the wake, the wedding and the picnic. Richard did well with his meal at the Inn, it’s not easy to eat on stage. Even if there cannot be anything in the cups or tankards, please be sure they don’t look as though they are empty, it does look odd when they are waved about. The stage dressing was good and what a ferry-boat! As a former punter I appreciated the difficulties, bring the pole up in three! This particular punt took some handling and Richard manoeuvred it well. And of course – the bicycle, of the period and very well ridden. The crash too was well staged.
I was somewhat disappointed in the scene changes. They were very smartly done but once the stage has gone dark the atmosphere and ambience has gone. I would have preferred a partially lit stage then the audience are involved with the action and ready to absorb the next scene, it doesn’t matter if we see the changes, it makes it more interesting and we are therefore involved to a greater extent and the flow of the play is not lost. As there were a lot of changes I think that then the action would have been more effective. It worked at the end of Act II at the Inn when this actually happened. The production does need some tweaking; the first act didn’t really get going till after the wedding and maybe more emphasis on the fact the beginning was a flashback. It does need some more humour if that were possible. (The author adds “An interesting point. We did, in fact, consider just such a presentation but decided that creative lighting would add to the drama. Notes for the revised play for publication will suggest the alternative approach.”)
I congratulate all the production team, lighting, sound, costumes, FOH, Stage Manager and everyone, all play their part. An informative programme with a nice cover. I particularly congratulate Elaine as producer, but of course the main plaudits must go to Alan for conceiving it in the first place and seeing it through to fruition, I hope it can be made copyright and go on to be recognized as a production maybe for professional as well as amateur companies.
It was very pleasant to come to again to see The Nomads and thank you for my warm welcome.
