REVIEW

Pilton Players’ latest production, “Day of Reckoning”, a two act play by Pam Valentine, demonstrated yet again the extraordinary breadth and depth of talent within the company.  With not a single change of set, and very little action on stage, it fell to the eight central characters to hold the audience’s imagination.  And how well they entertained us!  It helped enormously that the play centres around the planning of a village fete, a subject well known to many of its audience.  Ostensibly a comedy, incorporating stereotypes of village life and village characters, the plot takes those characters on a journey with a familiar backdrop, but involving some surprising twists.

The play opened with a very effective device:  we hear from behind closed curtains the village fete committee briefly setting the date for its first meeting in January the following year.  The scene was thereby set for the curtains to open on a cold village hall, where we were introduced to the colourful array of characters. The usual suspects were instantly recognisable: the grumpy old country woman, coarse and straight to the point, demanding tea and biscuits between knitting blankets for the third world, wonderfully portrayed by Sandra Howe. The efficient committee secretary, who cares for her elderly mother while holding down a full time job, at the same time trying to get through the 50 point agenda, take the minutes, and generally keep everything together; Sheila West’s transformation in this role as the play develops is particularly effective.  The rather posh army wife also delivers a few surprises, as Sylvia Smith develops the role. The cupid she is donating to the bric-a-brac stall has lost his arrow; she aims her own love dart at the alcoholic vicar, whose marriage is on the rocks. George West’s portrayal of a man who has lost his faith and dignity, and rediscovers it through a simple act of forgiveness, demonstrated a wide range of acting ability. 

Sheila Steward as the vicar’s long-suffering wife produced another memorable performance, with real stage presence.  The lady in charge of pony rides we quickly learn is gay, and takes an immediate shine to the young and innocent new infant teacher; who, Susie Roberts skilfully portrays as touchingly naïve at the start of the play, but by the end of it she has grown in confidence sufficiently to reject her suitor, the wonderfully named Marjorie Organ played by Pauline Hobbs, who was thoroughly convincing as the rejected, formerly confident and now despairing lover. 

Seemingly at the centre of everything is the village gossip, whose hypocrisy and acid tongue nevertheless delight us; Madron Osborne produced a performance of real maturity, in what is potentially a one dimensional part. 

The whole thing was great fun, and at the same time the production managed to deal skilfully with some dark and complex themes of love and rejection, adultery and reconciliation, murder and forgiveness.  The village community and the fete itself were brought vividly to life in our imaginations by skilful performances from all the cast, and some wonderful writing.  A little gem skilfully directed by Alison Ward.

John Boucher.

We are always looking for new players but if you do not wish to act, why not help with scenery and backstage?

This is a vital role and is always very much appreciated. However, be warned, we have been known to persuade people to tread the boards if only for a walk-on part!!

PILTON PLAYERS CHRISTMAS REVIEW

Once again Pilton Players pulled out all the stops in their production, ‘The Magic of Christmas.’ This year it was set in the Parish Church, not the easiest venue for a production but as always the Players overcame all obstacles and it was wonderful to see the church used in this way and to see it so full.

The first section consisted of Christmas poems and readings- some which brought a smile and some more serious, such as a passage from ‘Cider with Rosie,’ re-told with such feeling by John Boucher, which took us back to Christmas past.  Alison Ward and Sheila Steward, made us laugh and remember the school plays with their readings by Joyce Grenfell and Willy Russell; and one of the new members of Pilton Players, Kate Gundry gave a very different version of the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas.’ It will never be perceived in the same way again!

Potty Pantomime, a short play by John Crocker kept everyone on their toes with its wit and the clever way in which it linked some of the main characters from a variety of pantomimes. Sometimes it seemed a little too slick but the quality of the acting carried it through.

‘The Coming of the Kings’ by Ted Hughes was perhaps the most powerful and thought provoking play of the evening. It re-told the story of Christmas in a new way. The innkeeper and his wife, played by Mark Berry and Pauline Hobbs, made the audience laugh with their domestic quarrels but this in no way detracted from the message of Christmas; of the coming of Christ and the meaning of Christmas, which many of us miss as we get swept along with the nitty-gritty day to day business of living.

The Players not only provided an excellent evening of entertainment but they left everyone who went with a message to take away.  It is up to us now to remember that message in the busy days ahead. Thank you Pilton Players for reminding us of what is important.

By Hilary Austin