Spring 2008
Man of the Moment
by Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Oliver Densham
Performed at Bramfield Village Hall (24 April),
The Cut Halesworth (25 & 26 April)
Dress rehearsal photo-call 23 April 2008
left>right Lucy Collins (Jill Rillington) Bernard Fox (Vic Parks) George Harvey (George/Dan and Lighting & Effects) Oliver Densham (Ashley Barnes and Director)) Anne Clifford (Trudy Parks) Beci Rhodes (Sharon Giffin) Frieda Booth (Cindy Parks) Sue Trovell (Marta) Steve Chadwick (Douglas Beechey) John Saunders (Ruy) Alfie Linney (Kenny Collins)
Director’s report by Oliver Densham
I cannot claim to have chosen this play; rather the play chose us when my first choice of an Ayckbourn turned out to be unavailable at this time. But Man of the Moment proved to be a lively, bright and, in places, quite gleeful play, although not without its darker side, as the more unexpected elements of the plot began to unravel.
An excellent cast was led by strong performances from Bernard Fox and Lucy Collins, who was returning to Circle 67 after many years away. Notably, the lead role of Mr. Beechey was superbly played by Steve Chadwick, a newcomer not only to Circle 67, but to the stage in any capacity.
John Saunders, ably assisted by John Frost, triumphed by turning a sheet of three-ply and a few lumps of wood into a richly coloured Mediterranean villa on two separate levels, with a patio and a swimming-pool—the pool an ambitious gamble that thankfully paid off, judging by the audience members who were afterwards found sneaking a look into it, to find out where cast members had really gone when they jumped or fell in. The entire scene was bathed in ‘glorious’ Spanish sunshine, thanks to George Harvey, who did a superb job both with lighting and sound effects, as well as contributing amply to the dialogue.
In addition to the cast, to whom I owe an enormous debt of thanks, I must also mention Graham Thurston as Prompt, and Chris Collins for spending much time up ladders.
Those who helped with front-of-house and humoured my dress-code, those involved out of sight, for publicity, ticket sales and general running around after a slightly erratic director, all receive thanks for making a very enjoyable production possible.
Audiences were large and appreciative, and the feedback was very encouraging.
Copies of press notices, programme , poster, and on-stage cast pictures from this production are available from the Circle 67 Archive: go to Checklists for details of how to obtain them.
