It’s really pleasing to see Walmsley performing a play for the first time in 23 years, this time with two one act plays revolving around the comedic ups and downs of the Little Grimley Amateur Dramatics Society.
Under the expert hands of director Steve Benson, this production was an evening of top-notch entertainment. The first play was ‘Last Tango in Little Grimley’ which sees the local amdram group with a problem. When they hold their AGM only four people attend, and the group is close to giving up. However, Gordon who is the chairman and brilliantly played by Steve Benson, comes up with an idea to save the society. He has written a play for them to perform which includes plenty of sexual innuendos with a title that is bound to bring in an audience. First, he needs to convince the other members of the group. There is Margaret, expertly played by Adrienne Wormald (who also co-directs) who is dogmatic and opinionated and convinced she should be chairperson, who knows far more than Gordon and isn’t afraid to say so. She is not his only problem. Next there is Joyce, brilliantly played by Dorothy Jones, the treasurer of the society. She is a simple soul with no acting skills, in fact no skills at all! Finally, to add to the equation is Joe Davies who was great as Bernard the set builder who has no wish, nor the ability to act. All that makes you wonder why they keep going.
The second play was ‘Last Panto in Little Grimley’ which sees the same four dysfunctional committee members meeting to discuss their financial position, or lack of the finances, and what they propose to do about the situation. There is no money, no audiences and not much talent, although the members are not prepared to admit to the latter. Gordon has conceived a new concept to attract a wider and more adult audience to their shows. He appears to have already started writing the new script and is convinced that it will bring in the crowds in droves. Margaret is not so sure. In fact, is quite certain that it will not work and doesn’t intend to remove her clothes in the off chance that it might be what the audience want. Joyce isn’t interested in the new script unless it is a musical with a good singing part for herself. Since her voice leaves a lot to be desired this idea is dead before it starts. She takes umbrage at Gordon’s criticism and starts to walk out but as the treasurer of the group she must be persuaded to stay at all costs. The same could be said of Bernard, the backstage dogsbody, set builder and general handy man who has little time for acting and no time for safety procedures.
All four actors were great, each one getting their own time to shine in the spotlight and having those killer comedic one liners. Let’s hope it’s not another 23 years before Walmsley perform another play.
