Kingston Bagpuize Drama Group

A BUNCH OF AMATEURS by Ian Hyslop and Nick Newman

24th April 2022

This play revolves around a struggling amdram group who are trying to save their Barn Theatre. They bring in a guest star Jefferson Steele who is a faded Hollywood actor, to play the lead in their production of King Lear to bolster publicity and audience numbers. Dorothy (Claire Wheeler) was well cast as the producer. She was long suffering and brimming with confidence trying to contain Jefferson. She was an excellent foil for him and the chemistry between them was good.

Nigel Dewbury (Mike Lacey) was ponderous in his peevish approach to Jefferson as he felt that he should have had the part of Lear. This culminated in him passing the story to the national press regarding Jefferson’s perceived dalliances with Lauren, wife of the sponsor. Although, as usual, he had the wrong end of the stick. His perceived dalliances supposedly happened at his theatrical lodgings run by cast member Mary Plunkett, (Mary-Elizabeth Shewry) who was infatuated with Jefferson and played her part delightfully twittery and managed to fall to pieces in his presence. The handyman and fellow cast member Dennis Dobbins (Rob Bateman) had a convincing Suffolk accent and was expertly played, becoming Jefferson’s minder.

Rob Hall, as Jefferson really looked the part with appropriate gestures and maintained his American accent convincingly throughout as he portrayed the clueless and demanding fading Hollywood star. He kept up the arrogance brilliantly, of the Hollywood aura throughout. The whole cast gelled well together. The physio scene with Lauren (Taty Junquiera) was excellent and convincing. Although English was not her first language, she did a marvellous job of the part. Jessica, Jefferson’s daughter was played well by youthful newcomer Abigail Morgan. It was a wise decision for her not to have an accent as no accent is better than a bad American accent. The use of the stage and apron was good with effective use of flats and curtains. The use of the invalid motorised scooter through the auditorium was a stroke of genius.

The lighting and effects were good and enhanced the performances.

Congratulations to all.

Nigel James