Performance Thursday 10th August 2006 Matinee
Theatre Royal Plymouth
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The afternoon performance began promptly at 14:30. My friend commented immediately that we might be at the wrong performance. The name on the screen wasn’t Star Quality. After some debate we concluded that it must relate to the name of the play being enacted within the show. The middle blocks of seats, in the dress circle and stalls, were filled. The upper circle was closed. Neither of us had seen the play before. During the first scene, was slightly distracted as part of the scenery for the second act was on display as the curtain didn’t quite conceal it. The scenery was bright, cheerful and appropriate for the period.

The second act introduced the cast. The stars all had major speaking roles. However, the rest of the cast had little to say and their main interaction with the audience was “moving furniture” that in my opinion went on a little too long. We were waiting to get to know them also but it wasn’t to be.

The performance didn’t flow that smoothly and on occasions, the audience wasn’t sure whether to clap or not.

The story line was built around the star, the author, the producer and his assistant.

Nichola McAuliffe’s performance was adequate and felt that she could have made more of the role and been much more flamboyant. The scene she performed in the second act where she was trying to get her way with the producer was lack-lustre.

David Griffin performance throughout the play was dull.

Miles Western, Richard Pocock and Christopher Hackett performances made the play interesting and worth watching.

Had we been watching the play in the 50s, the innuendo would have been considered very risky. Today, it seemed all very run of the mill.

Whilst my friend and I did enjoy the outing, the fact that the gentleman sitting next to me, in the front row of the circle, didn’t return after the first half meant that the players failed to engage or inspire the audience, as demonstrated by the unenthusiastic applause throughout and at the end of the performance. Had they performed it in the style of Noël Coward it would have been much more entertaining.

The lunch which was enjoyed prior to the performance was far superior in entertaining company.

On this occasion, the cost of the tickets would have been better spent elsewhere.

Kay

18th August 2006

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