“A Bunch of Amateurs”, produced by Guilsborough Music & Drama Society, and directed by Gip Ingles, played over three nights in early March to full houses.
Wising to save their village theatre from closure, The Stratford Players book Jefferson Steel, a fading Hollywood action hero, to play King Lear in their forthcoming production. Unfortunately this Stratford is not the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company as assumed by the star, but a sleepy Suffolk village.
The witty dialogue produced dramatic tension and a lot of laughs from the engaged audience.
The creative set featured a B&B, the Barn Theatre and dressing room. Several technical devices were used including a screen showing live and recorded scenes and provided the sudden on stage drenching of Jefferson in a storm.
The seven acting parts were played very convincingly with strong characterisation, humour and precise timing.
Obviously a lot of hard work went into this production by the director, actors and backstage crew. It certainly paid off.
