REVIEW - Weston Mercury and Somersetshire Herald Friday May 6th 1966 - MORE LAUGHS NEEDED FOR DRAMATIC SOCIETY'S PRAWN

The comedy, The Amorous Prawn, by Anthony Kimmins, deserves more laughs than Weston-super-Mare Dramatic Society managed to extract from it on their opening night at Knightstone Theatre this week. Despite one or two spirited performances the production is slow and little is made of the opportunities.

The comedy is one of situation and character. As in every case of dramatic irony, we the audience are let into secrets not shared by all the characters and this produces a good deal of fun for us. At the same time, the characters are amusing and their clash of personalities offers more room for humour.

        Too Leisurely

But, what, in this play, could be hilarious somehow never quite gets off the ground because the players do not grasp all their opportunities and the pace is far too leisurely.

The scene is the official residence of the GOC, North Western District, a home run with all the military discipline and brisk efficiency of any unit in the British Army.

But when the General is away, his wife decides to make a little extra cash by turning headquarters into a three-star hotel. The staff of batmen, cook and WRAC maids exchange battledress for starched linen, and perks from the NAAFI for handsome tips. Imagine their feelings when the General unexpectedly returns and one of the guests turns out to be the Secretary-of-State for War.

        Amusing Characters

The situation is fraught with possible consequences and the characters add to the humour. But Weston Dramatic Society seems loath to seize the opportunities and enjoy the fun by making the most of it. Thereby the audience have proportionally less to enjoy.

Brian Pike keeps things moving as Corporal Green and maitre de hotel and Lesley Fear is a pert and obliging WRAC. Neville Redman has some amusing moments reciting Kipling's poem "If," but Brian Morton-Hicks seems somewhat subdued and does not make the most of the part of Willie, the over-sensitive cook.

The two American guests are smoothly and convincingly played by Gregory Thacker and Michael Usher, but Jenny Hillson is hardly Irish enough as Biddy O'Hara. Leighton Norman makes a brief appearance as a local "character."

        Hare-Brained

More volatility is needed from both David Hemming and Joy Wilkinson as the General and his wife if the play is to achieve full impact. They seem too sensible and quiet to indulge in the hare-brained adventure the play proposes.

The title of the comedy suggests something which is not very strongly brought out in the action but the "Prawn" does bring a satisfactory climax to the play. He is played with dignity but not much fervour by Tony Hayman.

Direction is by Kaye Simms and there are further performances to-night and to-morrow afternoon and evening.           R.M.D.