REVIEW - Bristol Evening Post Thursday November 8th 1984  -  A TOUGH TASK FOR THE CAST

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The hero of John L. Balderston's play about a time traveller does not have a particularly smooth journey and neither, I suspect, does the audience.

The rather fanciful idea of a young American going back from 1928 to 1784 to take the place of an ancestor is dealt with in such a solemn, po-faced was that I found it hard to take seriously.

As a result, the story, which unfolds in the elegant morning room of a Queen Anne house in Berkeley Square, fails to convince or make much impact.

This is more the fault of the author rather than producer John Butler, who has tried to inject some life into this curious mish-mash as well as designing the splendid set that unfortunately is too dimly lit to be fully appreciated.

The 17-strong cast also does its best with the welter of words and Anthony Lay impresses as the strange American who travels back 144 years only to find he does not fit in with the times.

Jill Dando and Debbie Robert are equally effective as the two 18th century sisters with whom he becomes involved and Simon Harvey gives a nicely-judged performance as their dandyish brother.

The play, with its excellent costumes and a real atmosphere of the past, runs until Saturday. Andrew White

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REVIEW - Weston Mercury, Somerset & Avon Herald Friday November 9th 1984  -  DRAMATIC SOCIETY'S SUCCESS

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So much is good about Berkeley Square, the latest Weston

Dramatic Society presentation on at the Playhouse all this

week, that one hesitates to point at its few weaknesses.

This strange love story by John L. Balderston, first produced

nearly 60 years ago, attempts to tell us that time is not a

straight line. A touch of the J.B. Priestley time theory here,

thought I - but no; Priestley's time plays have some moral

justification, some lesson to be learned.

Berkeley Square has none of that.

It tells, without much humour and with too many words,

that the events of the past, present and future can be

mingled into the life of one man. Consequently the scenes

flit from 1784 to 1928, back to 1784, ending two-and-a-

half hours later in 1928 again.

This at first is bewildering. Had I not read the synopsis before going to the Playhouse on Wednesday night I would have been more lost than I was at the end of act one. Main trouble was that one or two of the players failed to project their voices. One even spoke some of his lines with his back to the audience. Sound amplifying equipment would have helped.

But enough of these carping criticisms. There is enough, more than enough, on the credit side to compensate. The acting throughout is superb with no weak line anywhere; the direction, by John Butler, is firm. The play warms up in act two and is watchable - even quite gripping - from then on.

The lighting by Tony Blizzard, tremendously important in this play, is the best I have ever seen anywhere. Daylight, firelight, candlelight, are all introduced with dramatic effect. Sounds offstage (horses, ballroom music), too, are just right.

Anthony Lay plays the somewhat tragic main character, Peter Standish, with great depth of feeling. His diction could be improved, but he does not falter in a long and difficult role.

There are two women in his life (sorry, lives). Jill Dando plays one, the vivacious Kate Pettigrew. This is a part which allows promising actress Jill a chance to display all the emotions. She convinces throughout, particularly in the more dramatic scenes.

The other, Helen Pettigrew (her sister), is played in a more subdued yet equally convincing manner by Debbie Robert. She, the one Peter Standish really loves, has clairvoyant gifts, so the couple have an affinity. No one else understands or likes Standish with his apparent ability to foretell events.

I like the way Simon Harvey portrays the trouble-stirring devil-may-care brother Tom. Christopher Morgan also does well as the effeminate fop Mr. Throstle - though he could perhaps extract a little more humour from this way-out character role.

Lesley Blackwell has two parts to play, one as Standish's American girlfriend and the other as the Duchess of Devonshire. Though she manages very well to portray two quite distinct characters, I would have liked to see the backstage make-up team helping her more.

All amateurs should learn to punch out their lines with the resonance of Mary Hughes, who is ideally cast as the regal, though impoverished, Lady Anne Pettigrew.

Other characters are well presented by Rex Lay (a majestic-looking Ambassador); Margaret Horler (the perfect housekeeper); John Clarke ( a drunken His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland); Nick Welsh; Sandra Ross; Gerald White; Joan Bailey; Sally Lawrence and Fiona Smith.

The costumes are lovely and the scenery (designed by John Butler) so good that the first-night audience gave it a spontaneous burst of applause on curtain up.

Weston Dramatic Society, who have not missed a year since they were formed at the end of the first world war, are to be congratulated on the success of this, probably their most ambitious production yet.

It can be seen tonight and tomorrow night at 7.45 and tomorrow afternoon at 2.30.                            M.R.D.

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REVIEW - South Avon Mercury Friday November 9th 1984  -  A PERFORMANCE OF QUALITY

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Weston Dramatic Society, who have been performing in the town since 1918, presented a little known play by John L. Balderston 'Berkeley Square' at the Playhouse last week.

The play may be seen by some as a modern day ghost story or by others as a tale that deals with time travel. Whichever is true, however, the society certainly did credit both to the author and themselves.

As a company, they performed perfectly in unison and were well cast in their respective parts.

Anthony Lay, who played Peter Standish, was rarely offstage and is to be complimented upon his stamina and performance. Debbie Robert played his lover Helen Pettigrew. She, I felt, suffered from under projection of words and at times was inaudible, however, her diction was good.

Christopher Morgan, who payed Mr. Throstle, could have given more comedy to the part but nevertheless it was a credible performance.

I particularly liked the small but completely effective part played by John Clarke as HRH Duke of Cumberland. He was only on stage for a few minutes but they were gems.

Nick Welsh, who played Major Clinton, could have been more forceful but he was helped by the good performances of Rex Lay, Mary Hughes and Jill Dando. Another nice touch here, too, by Fiona Smith as the maid.

Sound effects could have been better, with at times, the players waiting for sound cues before speaking.

As usual, John Butler made a superb job of the production and of the set which, upon curtain up, drew appreciation from the audience.

I was impressed by the way this play held the attention of the audience.

Well done Weston Dramatic Society for a most enjoyable evening's entertainment.                                 DPJ