Bravo! Bravo!
Well we didn't exactly shout that out because this is the Village Hall and we're restrained and British plus there was no time to waste, some rapturous applause, two quick curtain calls and I think everyone probably piled across to the pub.
But the Milton Abbot Players production of Holiday Snap provided a marvellous evening's entertainment and I can report that amateur dramatics is alive and thriving in rural Devon.
With the West End Whingers model of theatre criticism and analysis uppermost in my mind I was alert at all times (though must ask how they write in the dark) and firstly took a careful look at the auditorium as the audience poured in.
No discernible proscenium arch to worry about and the seats were a trifle tough on the derriere, but at least they didn't squeak and the art display on the walls from the pre-school was nicely in keeping.
So far so good.
I had chosen wisely with Row D so I had a perfect view of the stage, caught that wonderful moment when the curtains don't quite go right back and a hand pops out and does a bit of a gather in, and occasionally heard the dulcet tones of the prompt.
I was also perfectly placed for the tubs of local Rosemont Farm ice creams in the interval which we all agreed were far better than anything you'd get 'up London.' I was however less fortunate with the raffle but came very close, someone in my row won the box of shortbread biscuits.
Holiday Snap, written by John Chapman and Michael Pertwee (brother of John ' Doctor Who' Pertwee) was a classic comedy-farce set in a double-booked time share called Laryngina on the Algarve, with a drunken holiday company rep, two 'couples', some absent servants and the sudden unwelcome appearance of a mother-in-law and a wife. There was plenty of entering and exiting of cupboards and bedrooms and thankfully the very professional looking set coped well with the action. When things were supposed to fall down they did, when they weren't they stayed put which is always a bonus.
One liners and double entendres abounded and this rural farming community (me included) roared as illicit couple Leslie and Eve had to quickly hide in the cupboard yet again,
Eve I hate being stuffed in a cupboard.
Leslie Well it doesn't bother you anywhere else does it.
and as things reached their frenetic conclusion I actually had tears rolling down my face.
I'm pleased to report for the Whingers that there was 'live' food and drink consumption on stage.
A chicken leg and a lot of gin, all achieved with panache and aplomb.
Hats off to all the cast who had clearly worked so hard for their sell-out run of four nights, looked to be about 150 of us cosily seated for £5 each and everyone had a great time. I caught up with plenty of people I hadn't seen in ages and also spotted a notice advertising the Ladies Village Choir, might it be time to start singing again?
Now I'm wondering how the chap from the garden centre and the nurse who takes blood in the doctor's surgery will talk their way out of those very amorous moments on the sofa.
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