THE CHAMELEONS AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY

Proudly Present
 

Ray Cooney's

Out of Order

 At the Kingsland Hall, United Reformed Church, Wembley.

 3rd - 5th May 2001.

 Cast

 In order of appearance

 Richard Willey - Robert Spolander
 The Manager - Les Elliot
 The Waiter - Denis O' Brien
 George Pidgen - Stuart Everett
 Jane Worthington - Helen Collier
 The Maid - Johanna Foley
 A Body - Stephen Smails
 Ronnie - Simon Crowley
 Pamela - Linda Rawley
 Gladys - Hannah Bain

Radio Announcer - John Jetton

 

 Director - Stuart Evereit

The Chameleons are affiliated to NODA (the National Operatic and Dramatic Association) and this is their representatives independent Critique.

Society; The Chameleons Amateur Dramatic Society

Production: Out of Order

Date: 4th May 2001

Venue: Kingsland Hall.

Report by: Harvey Kesselman

I always feel that performing a farce can be more difficult than "straight" comedy, as some of the situations are often more involved, although as with comedy, timing is as important as the dialogue. The Chameleons production had all the the right elements to make this a most enjoyable evening. As Richard Willey, Robert Spolander played his role well as a Member of Parliament who is trying to have an affair with the secretary of the opposition party, but is having trouble achieving any success. As the aforementioned secretary, I felt that Jane Worthington, Helen Collier, could have been more seductive. She had a tendency of delivering her lines somewhat in a monotone and needed to be slightly more animated. A similar problem was with the Manager, Les Elliot, who although appeared to be indignant at the "goings on" in his hotel, needed to be more authoritative. I did enjoy Dennis O'Brien's Waiter, he sailed through the play with just the right sort of attitude that one would expect from someone who grabbed every opportunity to extract money when and wherever he could. Stuart Everett as George Pigden, the put-upon, confused assistant to Richard Willey, was excellent in showing his confusion at what was happening to his boss, and his struggling with the 'body' in order to get 'it' in the cupboard and then on to the settee, was very amusing.

As 'the body', Stephen Smails was very very funny. When being carried around the stage by Richard Willey and George Pidgen, he was very limp and really seemed to be dead (of course we all knew this was not the case), and his coming to 'life' was a lovely piece of acting. I did enjoy his performance. Simon Crowley looked a little young for the outraged husband, Ronnie Worthington, and had a tendency to shout his lines. He did extract quite a gfew laughs when he broke down burying his head in the waist (?) of Robert and then Les. His final exit 'sans' towel caused a great deal of amusement Linda Rawley as Pamela Willey, needed to be slightly more positive, as with Helen Collier, I felt that neither of them seemed particularly happy with their roles. Her 'seduction' scene with George however was funny. As the nurse, Hannah Bain played her part well and once again one felt sorry for poor George when she too became passionate. The maid, Johanna Foley, kept popping in and out, and I liked her dressing up as a bride of George.

I do congratulate Stuart Everett who not only directed, but designed and constructed the set (helped I am sure by others in the company) , and John Jetten, who was also responsible for the sound, also the company for giving the audience a most enjoyable evening. I only hope the window was repaired in time for the Saturday performance. Thank you too for the hospitality shown to my wife and myself. I look forward to seeing your next production.

Harvey Kesselman.

 

Promo pics