(Burniston & Cloughton Village Hall - 25-27 October 2012)
"A Bit of Each" was performed 25th - 27th October 2012 at Burniston Village Hall, as part of a programme of 2 plays, collectively titled "The Sublime to the Ridiculous".
The other play in the programme was "The Middle of the House"
A Bit of Each. "The Free Players" is an enthusiastic amateur drama group, the dreamchild of its pompous director Henry, who himself has been treading the boards for well over 40 years. Deep down Henry knows that The Free Players are much more professional and polished than other local drama groups, and he intends to prove that with tonight's presentation. What could possibly go wrong?
Over the years, writer Sue Wilding has both seen and even made one or two hilarious bloopers in amateur drama, and tonight, you'll see most of them again, skilfully written into this uproarious comedy. By popular demand 'A Bit of Each' returns for its third rib-tickling season.
David Irwin is Henry, the snobbish director of "The Free Players" Amateur Dramatic Society. Henry knows his actors are a little rough around the edges, but this is Scarborough for goodness sake, not the West End! What can one expect?! He knows he can whip them into shape. Perhaps. One day.
Probably not tonight though.
Denise Evans plays Janice.
Janice doesn't act, but she does like to be involved, so she prompts, and generally helps to keep Henry organised.
Frankly, she's not terribly adept at either.
Darren Burgess is Alan, the stage hand, scenery shifter and props manager. If there's one thing that Alan can be relied upon to do, it is leaping instantly into action upon Henry's command. But sadly, little else.
The level of complexity of instructions that Alan is able to handle lies just below "simple".
Chris Curtis plays Rupert. As camp as a row of tents, and something of a diva, Rupert believes himself to be Henry's star performer, and he is not averse to the occasional hissy-fit, when everything is not perfect.
Which it sometimes isn't.
Steve Johnson is Mr. Babberstock, who tries, bless him, he really does try very hard to be a really good actor.
And one day he will be - just as soon as he's mastered concentration, learning lines, regional dialects, stage choreography and how to handle clothing-related difficulties during a performance.
Rae Yaldren is the dizzy blonde known as Sylvia. Nobody could accuse Sylvia of not learning her script. She knows it word for word. Her delivery needs a little work though, and for now, Helena Bonham-Carter and Emma Thompson can sleep easily.
Barbara Pearson plays Gladys, who although quite a refined lady, is more than happy to tackle gritty Northern roles. Again though, her concentration and her ability to handle little hiccups in the props department, need some work.
Rehearsals for "A Bit of Each"
