Medstead Players - 'Beyond a Joke' - April 2002
Written by Derek Benfield, by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
Directed by Pam Kercher
Players' farce is more than just a joke
The latest offering from The Medstead Players, Beyond a Joke, might well be subtitled 'Did they fall or were they pushed?'
The plot sounds so simple. Andrew and Jane (David Rae and Anita Prior), live in a desirable country house with a picturesque garden. They have a daughter, Sally, (Andrea Robson) whose boyfriend will insist on visiting them for the weekend, but otherwise, life is pretty good.
The only cloud on the horizon is the frequency with which, shall we say the trades people, have accidents.
First there was Mr Merry. He came to read the gas meter, in the cellar down some very steep stairs. Unfortunately he slipped, with fatal results. Since then there have been a total of six, including the window cleaner, who fell off his ladder.
No one has told the boyfriend, Geoff (Dominic Clifford) who, overhearing the family discuss the problem, jumps to the wrong conclusion and suspects murder. But is it ? That question is never answered.
Aunt Sarah (Sue Ovell), given to a liking of alcohol, also decides to spend the weekend. She lets in the TV repairman, who turns out to be number seven. Not wishing Geoff to find him, she hides the body in a cupboard. Geoff does, unfortunately, discover him, although the next morning he is gone again. Only to the fishpond, though, where Aunt Sarah thought they could explain away the death.
The vicar arrives (Geoff Rushton) and becomes number eight, in his sleep, in the garden.
To add to the chaos, Geoff's parents join the household and insist on seeing the garden. Mayhem follows, with bodies being transported around the place in the wheelbarrow.
The casting for what must be considered one of Medstead Players' best productions was excellent, and it included two new members, Andrea Robson and Dominic Clifford.
With a difficult split stage set (congratulations to the construction team) to work with, bodies going left and right in wheelbarrows, step ladders and a multitude of drinks being poured all the time, the cast had a difficult time, but rose to the occasion.
The only one who had short, wordless, appearance was the body of the TV repair, man played by Matthew Rae, duly made up with deathly palor.
Director Pam Kercher should be justly proud of the performance.
Lesley Rae was producer with Dick Smith stage manager [PC]
Cast:
Jane - Anita Prior
Andrew - David Rae
Geoff - Dominic Clifford
Sally - Andrea Robson
Sarah - Sue Ovell
Vicar - Geoff Rushton
Audrey - Ann Bassil
Edgar - Jamie Legg
TV repair man - Matthew Rae
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