The Venture Theatre company resumed their performances after the Covid break in a new venue and with a locally written and directed play Dead Air by Valerie Lane.

The opening scene and well into the first act was confusing as to what was happening as there was no synopsis or bio’s on the performers as well as no description of the setting.

These omissions tended to take some shine away from the performers as it was necessary to concentrate on the plot. Despite this there were some memorable performances.

Olivia Richardson as Tori the DJ opened the play with a voice that suggested she was, or could be a professional DJ. She was joined by Shelley Carman as Morry who also had a believable presentation. Both of these performers complimented and bounced off each other.

Roxy Miller as Tayla showed her talent with her singing and acting. She was hoping for a proposal from her sweetheart Cooper played by Tim Giumelli the shy guy who just didn’t know how to propose. These two did make a perfect couple in the end.

Kristy Mundy as Brooklyn was down to earth as the PA who tried to keep the radio station on track but managed to continually open a door when Regina played by Steph Vivian was behind it and eventually injured her nose. Steph’s performance as the one who thought she was better than all the other amateur performers played the part as an objectionable character to a tee and her
singing of ‘Hold Back the River’ was memorable.

Cady Butterfield as Willow the giggly one and Jo Bell as Sheepdog the hippie supported the major characters and added to the overall plot of the play.

Lucy Marshallsay as Tracey and Luke Wagner as Greg were both on stage continually in the first act and their role did not become clear until the start of the second act, by which time the audience had worked out the plot and what was about to happen. Their roles were of ghosts who had come back to escort somebody else who was about to die. The murders were committed by Bitter played by Tom Watson whose motive was his rejection by the local amateur theatre company.

Finally there were five ghosts on stage and their conversion and costume changes were slick and left no doubt as to what had happened. The set was simple but delineated the radio studio from the reception area. Apart from the lack of information in the program the script was polished, clever and a credit to Valerie Lane.

It was enjoyable to sit at tables in a large venue without having to worry about covid and enjoy the other benefits that go along with local amateur theatre.

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