Weston-super-Mare
Dramatic Society
My Friend Miss Flint by Donald Churchill & Peter Yeldham
Performed at Weston-super-Mare Playhouse : June 19th - 23rd 1990 including Saturday matinee
CAST
Tom Lambert GERALD WHITE
Lucy TESSA JOHNSON
Albert JOHN SWAIN
Sarah LEZLEY SWAIN
Mr. Dodds CHRIS HARDING
C.P. Lens BEE EDMUNDS
PRODUCTION
Director ANTHONY LAY
Stage Manager COLIN GOLDING
Prompt JACKIE GOLDING
Properties SANDRA ROSS and JENNIE HAYWOOD
Continuity SHIRLEY McMAHON
Wardrobe ELIZABETH WOOD
Backstage ALISON HAYES, MADGE HAYNES
and PAM LINHAM
Set Design JOHN BUTLER
Set Construction Society Members
Publicity HAYDN DURANT
Lighting and Sound PETE MAGOR
Front of House
Photography GARTH D. SMITH
Gerald White, Tessa Johnson
The Cast & Backstage Crew
Lezley Swain, Gerald White
REVIEW - Weston Mercury, Somerset & Avon Herald Friday June 29th 1990 - CAN THE TAX MAN RAISE A LAUGH?
Some comedies make fun out of a realistic situation.
Others are completely and unbelievably ridiculous.
MY FRIEND MISS FLINT, performed by Weston Dramatic Society at the
Playhouse last week seemed to be a bit of both, and that, for me, does not
really work.
The basic story is one of a giant tax fiddle, under the name of a fictitious
character Miss Flint. Without giving too much away, her 'identity' does not
remain a secret for long. The rest centres on how the main characters try to
avoid the wrath of the Inland Revenue.
However, some scenes, such as the interview with the Inland Revenue man,
are just not believable, but not ridiculous enough to put the play in the other
comedy bracket. the first five minutes were quite saucy and funny, but after
that the play settled down into the main plot.
By the time the interval came, I was amused, but not really prepared for too
much of the same. The second half obliged, keeping the interest going by
providing several surprising twists in the plot.
The cast was impressive. Gerald White played the almost innocent Tom
Lambert, who apparently employed the mysterious Miss Flint. He performed
well, the only criticisms being with the character rather than the actor.
Lezley Swain played his wife and accountant well. John Swain, as "housemaid"
Albert, added a lot of colour to the show with a lively performance.
Chris Harding was just slimy enough as Mr. Dodds, the tax man, and Bee Edmunds was convincing as C.P. Lens, the special tax investigator. Finally, the charming Tessa Johnson was distracting as the seductive Lucy.
The set was well designed and convincing.
In the end, Donald Churchill and Peter Yeldham's script proved quite entertaining if a little unbelievable. DMB
Separate Tables by Terence Rattigan
Performed at Weston-super-Mare Playhouse : October 10th - 13th 1990 including Saturday matinee
CAST
Mabel MARY HUGHES
Lady Matheson BRENDA WHITE
Mrs. Railton-Bell LEZLEY SWAIN
Miss Meacham GILL CREE
Doreen ALLISON HAYES
Mr. Fowler JOHN CLARKE
Mrs. Shankland LESLEY BLACKWELL
Miss Cooper ELIZABETH WOOD
Mr. Malcolm ANTHONY LAY
Mr. Stratton MATTHEW EVANS
Miss Tanner SALLY LAWRENCE
Miss Railton-Bell RACHEL FARMER
Colonel Pollock ANTHONY LAY
PRODUCTION
Director JOHN BUTLER
Stage Manager COLIN GOLDING
Prompt JACKIE GOLDING
Properties ANDY COCKERAM and BEE EDMUNDS
Continuity JUDYTHE SMITH
Wardrobe TESSA JOHNSON
Backstage DAVID WOOD, JOHN SWAIN
and GRAHAM BERRY
Set Design JOHN BUTLER
Set Construction Society Members
Publicity HAYDN DURANT
Lighting and Sound PETE MAGOR
Front of House
Photography GARTH D. SMITH
Liz Wood, Tony Lay
John Clarke, Tony Lay
Lesley Blackwell, Tony Lay
REVIEW - Bristol Evening Post Thursday October 11th 1990
Terrence Rattigan's drama delving into the private anguish of assorted guests at a genteel Bournemouth hotel is an actor's delight.
He has served up meaty roles and plum parts for nearly every character, and they are tackled here with relish and skill.
Director John Butler, who also designed the accurately-observed sets, has assembled a cast which can certainly deliver the goods.
Everyone is excellent, with Tony Lay outstanding in the dual roles of an embittered Welsh ex-MP and a disgraced bogus Army major, who both find some kind of happiness at the Hotel Beauregarde.
Lezley Swain is wonderful as the appalling snob Mrs. Railton-Bell, Rachel Farmer endearing as her down-trodden daughter, and Brenda White a delight as the mild-mannered Lady Matheson.
There is not a weak link in the chain, and together the players provide an engrossing and entertaining evening of an extremely high calibre. Andrew White
REVIEW - Weston Mercury, Somerset & Avon Herald Friday October 12th 1990 - RATTIGAN PLAY BRILLIANTLY REALISED
For a feast of drama, go along to
the Playhouse Theatre, Weston,
and make a reservation at
'Separate Tables, pictured here.
On the menu are convincing
characters, superb sets,
complemented by some of the
best acting and directing I've seen
in a long time.
Weston Dramatic Society's
production of this classic - set in
the Hotel Beauregarde in
Bournemouth during the 1950's -
is blessed with a perceptive script,
penned by Terrence Rattigan. But
the gift of a good script, does not
detract from the imaginative and
believable characterisations
offered by the cast.
It would be unfair to single out anyone for special praise - all the characters are essential to the success of a plot which deals with basic human emotions.
Loneliness, the fear of growing old and hiding from the real world are all examined with sensitivity and care.
Having said that, Lesley Swain, as Mrs. Railton-Bell, and Tony Lay, as John Malcolm and Major Pollock deserve special recognition.
Mrs Swain puts in a marvellous performance as the elderly, pompous, moral guardian who attempts to instruct the other guests in correct behaviour.
Mr Lay plays two characters, one in each act, and gives credibility and pathos to each.
The sets are well designed - the first act opens in the dining room where all the guests are sitting, appropriately enough at separate tables - and amply portray the classic grandeur of a small 1950's hotel.
The only drawback with such elaborate sets is that changes of scene take time and the audience did become slightly restless on opening night, despite the soothing chamber music played to pass the time.
John Butler's direction is excellent. Not only does he keep the action flowing, every character is fully explored.
There is always something to note, without detracting from the main plot.
Attention has been paid to detail from sound effects to the tricky business of eating.
Separate Tables is on until tomorrow when there is a matinee.
If you only go to the theatre once this - go to see this. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. SJR
