REVIEW - Western Daily Press Wednesday May 11th 1977  -  HERE'S A REGULAR FINE SHOW

 

Not every amateur society are so blessed with good actresses that they can afford to lay one off, so to speak, to occupy the producer's chair.

Yet Lesley Blackwell, who has so capably graced the stage in many leading roles, quits the limelight and takes over the production of this highly successful comedy revival.

As a producer, she has lost none of her stature.

On stage, Joan Townsend comes up yet again with a polished, poised and professionally pitched performance as Hedda Rankin.

Anthony Lay as the bearded and travel-stained Andrew Rankin, Stephanie Harrogate as the enigmatic Greek girl Fedra, and David Hemming as Mr. Andrikos all create people larger than life and thereby far less boring.

And Pamela Linham as Lucy, David Tyerman as Michael and Gerald White as Felix Rankin bring credibility to the more mundane characters of the piece.

Hedda is the recipient of a George Medal and of a prison sentence, and, as the authors of the play see fit not to reveal the reasons why straight away, why should I?

Sufficient to say it all adds that easy brightness to the situation which one expects from the early 1960's.

Set-wise the Rankins' maisonette is impressive and spacious.

And someone - presumably the producer - is to be congratulated on breaking away from the old tradition of blotting out the mirrors on the set.                                                                                      Eric Hopkinson                   

REVIEW - Bristol Evening Post Wednesday May 11th 1977  -  VERVE IN THIS VERB

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Hugh and Margaret Williams' comedy shines in the hands of the Weston-super-Mare Dramatic Society.

Set in the early sixties, some of the daring of the piece seems dated. But Lesley Blackwell, making her debut as producer, has given this production a breath of life.

There is the sterling performance from Joan Townsend as the capably with-it Hedda Rankin - recipient of a George Medal and a jail sentence.

Anthony Lay as the bearded ride-hitching Andrew Rankin is convincing as a drop-out.

Stephanie Harrogate overcomes the speechlessness of the Greek girl Fedra with an eloquence of expression, and Gerald White plays father with a singular youthfulness considering the kind of family he has around him.

Pamela Linham as Lucy, and David Tyerman as Michael giver performances which almost get lost. Such is the price of playing characters smaller than life among so many oddities.                                                 EH

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REVIEW - Weston Mercury, Somerset & Avon Herald Friday May 13th 1977  -  LOVE IS A MANY-SIDED THING TO THIS FAMILY

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We all have our problems but other people's can be funnier. The

Rankin family have quite a selection and they are all sorted out

in The Irregular Verb to Love. This well-mannered comedy by

Hugh and Margaret Williams is ably presented by Weston-super-

Mare Dramatic Society at the Playhouse this week.

Hedda is released from prison after a conviction for bombing

furriers - she is a campaigner against cruelty to animals; single

daughter Lucy is having a baby; son Andrew returns from the

wild, barefoot and unshaven with a girl friend; husband Felix

admits to infidelity while his wife was doing time. As you see 

the kind of problems any family might have to face.

As in so many plays of this genre, the family is able to ride

over stormy seas with the help of domestic staff, an account at

Harrods and a gentle sense of humour which turns it all into a

joke, Just like us, in fact.

If we were all as well-adjusted, the Samaritans would be out of business - except for theatre critics, of course.

Blood being thicker than water, the Rankins stick together but their separate experiences of love show how inconsistent it can be in its effect - hence the title.

Joan Townsend is a delight as Hedda, although it is hard to believe in her smothering kind of affection when she appears so sensible. Gerald White, affably at ease, is her young husband. Pamela Linham is convincing as the only member of the family who can cry human tears and Anthony Lay is at ease as the errant son.

David Tyerman has some good moments as the prospective son-in-law, Mary Hughes chatters amusingly as the daily help; Stephanie Harrogate speaks only Greek but prettily enough; David Hemming makes a brief appearance to build up the comedy as a Greek waiter.

This is the first time that amateur actress Lesley Blackwell has directed for the Society and she has achieved a commendable fluency and ease in this entertaining production. It has excellent pace and attack and the moves are effective, too.

The only point I would make is that, like so many amateurs, the cast is reluctant to look in our direction. Fourth wall or not, eyes convey expression and it is not until a cast acknowledges the presence of an audience that we feel part of the proceedings and can provide rapport.                                                            R.M.D.