Community theatre in country towns is alive and well. Unlike their city and metropolitan counterparts they don’t struggle to get an audience. Each production is seen as a community event and is patronised by locals eager to see their neighbour, friend, relative, local identity and/or shopkeeper up on stage. This makes for a fun and friendly atmosphere within which “A Christmas Chaos” (really) directed by Gordon Combes encapsulates all of the above. It is an affectionate celebration of country township.
Amidst the mayhem of (often inappropriate) set and costume changes, rivalry for roles, a narrator doubling as Prompt, a Stage Manager who actually seems to know what’s going on and a frustrated Director barking orders at his motley troupe of players we receive sufficient snatches of script in order to follow the story. More or less! Central to the story of Christmases past, present and future is a miserly cynical Scrooge. Rob Lucas ably performs the role of the experienced thespian who has an issue with remembering his lines. I thought his performance transition as Scrooge was okay but there was a lack of definition between the two personas and that can easily become clearer by making his Scrooge meaner, more miserly, more “Fagin” like perhaps by way of vocal emphasis and facial expression. Nonetheless it is a creditable performance.
Glynnis Burrows as the Narrator is onstage throughout. Her interaction with both onstage personnel and the Director works well at times when she gets her timing right but her quiet delivery is often hard to hear. The hall’s sound system doesn’t adequately carry her dialogue to us, especially whilst she is seated and we cannot hear all of her narration or pithy comments. In the early part of the play when Glynnis stands and addresses us directly she does so in a clear and purposeful way. Maybe it’s a microphone issue? Heath Gladigau is a most frenetic and frustrated Director. There was certainly no missing his oft shouted advices and proclamations! Heath made sure we knew that time was not on his side and that the show must get on before it can go on!
Costume Mistress Gwendolyn Van Zwol and assistants surely had their work cut out dealing with endless costume changes. The main recipient, Brynne, is played with zest by Ben Proeve. Ben demonstrates stage presence in all of his minor parts and, when needed, his vocal delivery is well articulated and his timing is spot on. Maxine Grubel earns similar comments for her good diction and timing also. Being able to hear and understand dialogue delivered is the basic foundation of performance. Maxine’s experience is evident in her savvy stage work. A number of the quite large cast played multiple roles and many are worthy of mention. Eden Lane is a believable Spirit of Christmases past and present as well as demonstrating a healthy appetite! Helen Lane, costumed and made-up as a dual gendered Cratchit delivered a well crafted and convincing cameo. As a duo Will Melbourne and Sharryn Yelland compliment each other in a variety of roles and each delivers competent performances. Kate Farrer, particularly as the Charity Lady, looks comfortable on stage and addresses us with confidence. Jono Darwin’s concentration with regards to his observation of and reaction to his fellow performers is excellent. Small part players are so important to every production and their contribution is very much part of the whole. So too do I acknowledge the lighting and sound crews who are crucial elements to this play within a play.
There were flaws in this first performance of three and that is understandable. Cues need to be picked up in a timely fashion and lines need to be delivered with crisp authority. It is not easy creating chaos on stage as it probably requires more discipline, concentration and teamwork that any other genre. The audience was well entertained and I just love the easy hospitality of attending country theatre groups which I do on a regular basis. I have no doubt that Director Combes will have made lots of notes for the group to attack the next two shows and that they will all be sad to see their short season come to an end. I look forward to my next trip up the hill to see what TOTT have in store for 2024.
