“Gaslight”
gives actors opportunity to shine By Euan Stevenson and Ken Farrell (One Play two Reviews..)
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Overton Amateur Dramatic Society
presented their Autumn production, “Gaslight”, in the village hall on 18th, 19th and 20th November.
The play, by Patrick Hamilton, is a well- known psychological drama set in
Victorian London – older readers may remember the film version with Ingrid
Bergman and Charles Boyer. The play is a particularly demanding
one for the three main actors, who rose to the challenge magnificently. Alan Farley was quite chilling as the
husband, who is methodically trying to drive his wife mad while he searches
the house for a stash of precious rubies.
Alan Edwards, impressively whiskered for the part, was excellent as
the quirky retired detective and Joanne Kember was totally convincing as the
mild housewife who is struggling to keep both dementia and a cruel husband at
bay. Glynis Farley sympathetically
portrayed the housekeeper and young Sara Mahmoud was a real scene-stealer as
the sulkily insolent parlour maid, whom the husband cunningly uses to add
insult to his wife’s injury. A
wonderful set and convincing costumes really reflected a claustrophobic house
in Victorian London. Overall, this was a triumph for
O.A.D.S. and director Stephen Sorfleet. Footnote
On the Saturday
night, the second half of the show was somewhat spoiled by the background
music coming from the club. It must have been
very difficult for the actors to present a chilling atmosphere of lurking
menace and a harrowing climax against the booming background music of
“Dancing Queen”. Surely it is
possible for organizers of events in the village to consult one another to
prevent this unfortunate clash of entertainment. |
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Having thoroughly
enjoyed the Overton Amateur Dramatic Society’s recent run of bedroom farces I
was pleased to attend last Saturday’s performance of its latest, much more
serious production, the creepy Victorian melodrama “Gaslight”. ( I vaguely
recall Ingrid Bergman starring in the film version some 60 years ago). An extremely
authentic set quickly transported us to a 19th Century middle class house
where Alan Farley, as the villainous Mr Manningham soon had us trembling in
our seats as he continued to browbeat his pathetically cowed wife played,
most convincingly, by Joanne Kember. Alan Edwards as Inspector Rough, suitably
bearded, came at last like a White Knight to the rescue, aided by his two
burly constables played by Geoff Pritchard and Mike Redworth. (We had all been wondering why Alan had
been going round the village sporting these glorious mutton-chop whiskers
over the past few weeks and at last we knew. Sadly, even as I write they have
succumbed to the razor and he is once more recognisable) Glynis Farley “Yes” m-ed” and “Yes” sir-ed
in her role as the housekeeper with utter conviction as did Sara Mahmoud as
the coquettish servant Nancy. Even the
coffee served during the interval by the Refreshments team far outshone
anything served in a major theatre. For most of the
scenes only two of the five principal characters were present on the stage at
one time, often sustaining a complicated dialogue for substantial periods of
time – prodigious feat of memory standard. The whole party,
most ably directed by Steven Sorfleet, was as delight to all who attended and
if you didn’t see it you missed a treat.
Please keep it up Amdram – we love it. Ken Farrell |
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CYTUN In Overton & District Harvest Supper 24th September On behalf of Cytun (Churches Together
in Overton District) I would like to
thank helpers and supporters for making the event so successful. More than 60 people attended the
supper and by all accounts much enjoyed the evening. St Mary’s Primary School provided
musical entertainment prior to the Supper and Mr Charlie Harris of Erbistock
rounded off the evening with several songs (ably accompanied on piano by Mrs
Iris Edwards) As this event was not intended to be
money making, profits after expenses have allowed us to make the following
donations to worthy causes: £50.00 to St Mary’s School (Music Department)
£75,00 to CAFOD £75.00 to “Save the Family” Charity Particular thanks go to Mrs Dorothy
Carlton for co-ordinating this year’s event, Karen and Mick Pinder for
selling tickets from the Corner Shop, Mr John Davis (milkman) for donating
the new potatoes, Maxine Palmer for printing the promotional flyer and to
Richard Owen of Bangor on Dee, Joy Davies and Katrina Chalk of Overton for
distributing these with the evening newsapaper. A big thank you to the entire CYTUN Team
and everyone who helped in any way! We
look to this being an annual event in the village
calendar Vonnie
Bamber |
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being an annual event in the village
calendar Vonnie
Bamber |
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Overton Players pictured left to right,
Alan Edwards, Joanne Kember, Stephen Sorfleet (Director), Mike
Redworth and Alan Farley. Front row, Sara Mahmoud and Glynis
Farley. |
