Review by Jan Kennard:
“Another hilarious romp of a production by Detling Players! Their performance of the Farndale Ladies trying to put on a chaotic production of Macbeth was so funny that even the audience didn’t know what was happening at times!
There were many individual brilliant performances. It will only be possible to single out a few. The performance of newcomer, Lesley Findlay (who played 4 parts) , as the drunken porter was masterful and had the audience in hysterics. Sue Sutton’s handling of the part of Macbeth himself came with the haughtiness that Thelma (the Farndale Lady who was playing the part) possessed in reality. Sam Tunstill-Baldock’s portrayal of Plummer, the bossy stage manager, was played with Sam’s usual flamboyant ease.
The witches – Lesley Findlay, Sandra Stanley and Rachael Thomas-Day – had us all cringing with their high pitched cackles and their sexy dance to ‘That Old Black Magic’ was certainly ‘innovative’. The fact that the Farndale lady who played one of them came on in a wheelchair with her arm in a sling and leg in plaster really had the saying ‘the show must go on’ down to a tee. The Highland Fling danced by Banquo, played by Clare Pearce, was certainly a hilarious innovation by the Farndale Ladies. Other newcomers, Chris Gipson (Lady Macbeth) and Pauline Andrews (Fleance) made a spirited effort , obviously enjoying their material, also contributing to the show’s quirky personality.
Holding it all together, and so she thought!, was Mrs Reece, so immaculately played by Lesley Phippen (amongst her other parts). Unfortunately Mrs Reece didn’t seem to know what was really going on either and helped towards the chaos – selling raffle tickets in the middle of the play!
Finally, the adjudicator, Mr Peach, played by David Wilson who sat for the first half preening himself during the first act. In the second half, when he presented himself to do the summing up of his critique, he appeared in a full length, red sequined dress and a red wig! This was totally unexpected and announcing he was going on to an adjudicators’ drag ball! David’s portrayal of Mr Peach was absolutely fascinating and so funny, particularly when he gave his final summation.
Comedy is one of the most difficult genres of acting to perform. A farce is possibly even harder when sometimes the audience don’t quite get it. I think that Detling Players’ attempt was pretty outstanding and I know the night that I watched it the audience just didn’t stop laughing – they obviously got it!”
