Written by Mike Harding, by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
Directed by David Rae
Players rise to their biggest challenge
There's no fool like an old fool, according to a well-worn adage, but by gum there was plenty of fun and games to be had along they way to a Last Tango in Whitby performed by the Medstead Players.
Written by the Rochdale Cowboy, Mike Harding, Last Tango in Whitby was quite a challenge for the Medstead Players' director, David Rae, and producer Jenny Overy with their back stage crew and large cast.
In fact, according to David, it was probably the most testing production the players have attempted in nearly 25 years. But pull it off they did with incredible success after weeks of rehearsal for a group of players who had to acquire credible Northern accents, as well as perfecting their ballroom dancing with dance tutors Jenny and Phil Nicholls.
Stage manager Dick Smith and his team had to prepare themselves for 17 short scene changes using a revolving stage and a large extension at the front of the village hall stage.
Add to this a difficult lighting plan, split-second timing for numerous costume changes, as well as recording and controlling a sound system for the many and various dance numbers, and the enormity of the enterprise for a village amateur society begins to emerge.
The play opens with a group of old chums climbing aboard the coach for their annual 'cheapie all-in out of season' holiday at a hotel in Whitby.
As the charabanc sways along (the back projection of road and countryside nearly brought on a bout of travel sickness) the last of the summer wine, Kathleen, Jimmy, Joan, Henry, Maureen, Pat and Jessie, get in a few bevvies and reminisce about old times, especially Henry (Stan Whitcher) who lives in a time warp when it comes to his days at Catterick during the 40s.
Lately widowed Pat (Anita Prior) isn't looking too happy, but quickly remembers her late Arthur's motto "Nay, give over - you're a long time dead, get supped up, give us a smile and get 'em in" when romance blossoms with entertainments manager Phil (Geoff Rushton), who feels he is stuck in a loveless marriage with his wife and business partner, Edna.
Their twilight romance, with the interaction and reaction of his wife and Pat's friends, is played out in a series of short scenes interspersed with the Gay Gordons, Military two-step, Lancers and Valeta until the last Tango (Square) in Whitby.
Along the way there's a witty script and lots of laughs, especially on Talent Night when a natural comedian like Stan Whitcher plays the fool with impunity.
But beneath the play's superficial mirth there's a great deal of pathos with poignant reminders of life's sorrows, regrets and resentments.
Anita Prior, with a wardrobe of eyecatching outfits, and Geoff Rushton, imported from Four Marks, worked well together to produce the rapport necessary for a couple determined find their Shangri La before they grew too old to dream. It was a pity that Anita wasn't able to project up the same empathy in her scene with nervy spinster Jessie (Ann Bassil) which resulted in a somewhat stilted exchange, lacking the natural warmth and spontaneity between old friends.
Ann's Jessie was the most endearing character from among the many cameo parts created by Mike Harding and brought to life by the Medstead Players - bossy and bitchy Kathleen (Sue Ovell), kindly couple Jimmy and Joan (Bill Edwards and Lesley Rae), organising Maureen (Pam Kercher), Henry (well, just Stan Whitcher), bus driver/chef Gino (Jamie Legg) and, like a breath of spring among the autumn leaves, giggly young waitresses Edie and Clare (Becki Duckett and Emily Cox).
Sue Millett deserves a special mention for her performance as Edna, the rather remote and sad wife of Phil the philanderer, who has not only lost her only son in a motorbike accident, but now her husband to pushy Pat.
Despite what must have been some frantic costume changes, Sue played Edna with a quiet dignity which, whether intentionally, or unintentionally, earned her more sympathy with the audience than the elderly elopers.
Another unflagging production from the Medstead Players. [Sue Cansfield]
The play tells the story of a group of friends who always go on holiday together each year for a week of drinking,
dancing and living it up by the seaside. This year however is a rather awkward difference.
Pat is holidaying for the first time since the death of her beloved husband Arthur and the rest of the party are not
sure how is the best way to cope with the situation.
But Pat is determined that Arthur would want her to try and have a good time. "Nay, give over - you're a long time dead,
get supped up, give us a smile and get 'em in!" was his motto and she is going to live up to it.
When they arrive at the hotel the group is greeted by the entertainment’s manager Phil, and his wife Edna and immediately
there is a spark between Pat and Phil.
How the friendship develops, the reactions of her friends and the final outcome of the situation make this a fascinating
play. The mood can change quickly from being robustly humorous to extremely poignant and some passages of the dialogue
are very thought provoking.
The story is acted out in a series of short scenes, starting with the coach journey and continuing through the hotel,
sea front and the beach.
Cast:
Kathleen - Sue Ovell
Jimmy - Bill edwards
Joan - Lesley Rae
Henry - Stan Whitcher
Maureen/Mrs Mingham - Pam Kercher
Pat - Anita Prior
Jessie - Ann Basil
Phil - Geoff Rushton
Edna - Sue Millett
Bus Driver/Gino - Jamie Legg
Jet Shop Man/John - Roger Steel
Edie/Debbie/Sally - Becki Duckett
Claire/Alice - Emily Cox
By arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
Performed April 19, 20 & 21, 2001
