Medstead Players - 'No Time for Fig Leaves' - April 1994
Written by Duncan Greenwood & Robert King, by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
Directed by Tina Higgins
Medstead cast take leaf out of the comedy book The village may well be the true home of amateur dramatics and, if this is so, then the 35th production by the Medstead Players certainly fitted the bill.
From the National Anthem to a break between Act II and III to draw the raffle, this was truly a village event, bringing together at least three generations to laugh at the antics of the cast of No Time For Fig Leaves.
Played to a packed Friday night house, the cast of nine developed Tina Higgins' production and if the first steps were rather tentative, then the performance lifted as Dora, played by Dianne Nicholls, brought her own particular brand of comedy to a role which could have been written for her. First performed in 1965, long before the advent of a woman prime minister, the play explored the implications of a totally female population and how the reappearance of two men disrupted their well ordered existence.
However, even if the script seemed rather dated, it was well presented by a combination of acting expertise and raw talent. From Pam Kercher's well-observed private secretary and Karen Withey's scientific portrayal to Neil Higgins' arrogant Wing Commander and Michelle Watson's seductive Eve, the plot introduced an enthusiastic audience to the complications of co-existence.
It may be that village life never changes—and there's nothing wrong with that as this was truly a community production with a crew of over 20 and an audience willing to watch the antics of a well known local cast.
In fact, at the moment when Dora was about to sit mistakenly on a syringe someone in the audience exclaimed "Don't!" sending a ripple of amusement through the village hall.
Of course, all drama should encourage people to come out from their sitting rooms, leaving the television to rest peacefully in the corner and it was obvious that everyone enjoyed themselves, not least the cast who worked hard to entertain and amuse while leaving one or two members of the audience to wonder just who played George the dog! [Kevin Osmond]
Cast:
Monica Sharpe, private secretary to the Prime Minister - Pam Kercher
Constance Claythorne, Prime Minister - Carole Janes
Dora, the servant - Dianne Nicholls
Lydia Parker, M.P. Minister of Science - Karin Withey
Wing Commander Nigel Lawler, RAF - Neil Higgins
Major Danvers-Bishop, W.R.A.C. - Anita Prior
Professor David Moxton - Ian Turner
Helen Marchbanks, W.R.N.S, the first Lord of the Admiralty - Rachel Smith
Corporal Eve Forster, W.R.A.C. - Michelle Watson
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