It's a wonderful thing for local theatre that Tony Moore is writing and producing his own works. These two pieces are the latest in his repertoire and their very existence highlights the paucity of the phenomenon. 

 

Noble Cause is the more intense and, by way of an unexpected interrogation of a liberal professor by a government official , is an examination of political correctness, the justification of censorship and its clash with the belief in free speech. Stepane Avril was coldly methodical as the interrogator, Smith, and sustained that throughout. Brian Godfrey was suitably idealistic as Linden and often seemed genuinely caught out by the doggedness of his opponent.

 

Boiled Cabbage covered the duration of WW2 and was a fair attempt at absurdism, as the means of examining a great number of social and military issues. In fact, while elements of absurdist theatre were captured, there was a fair bit of realism and polemics in the play. It was set in an English household in which mum and dad, played by Joanna Webb and Brian Godfrey, were continually surprised by the attitudes and life choices of their children, John and Janet, played by Jabez Retallick and Shannon Gray. 

 

The play had vitality, particularly carried by Webb and the two younger ones who bounced in and out with gusto. However, to really make the points, it needed more cohesion. Godfrey credibly conveyed the dad's attitudes, although his accent strayed at times.

 

 

Brian Godfrey, Shannon Grey, Jabez Retallick and Joanna Web in Boiled Cabbage