Breath of Spring, West End Little Theatre Club, Parish Centre, West End
THE main thrust of a comedy is that it should be funny. Laughter was hard to come by in the first act as the actors laboured hard with the thinnest of material.
Terry Wakeman made a commanding presence as Dame Beatrice Appleby and Ray Upson had a convincing military manner as two of the main characters.
A stronger second and third act helped engage the audience more as others developed their roles - Karen Mogridge (Lady Miller), Alison Wisely (Nan) and Caroline Maggs (Hattie). Charlotte Richfield, as the maid, provided the morality in a suitably chastising fashion.
The scenery (Ray Upson) and lighting (Alan Daw and Tom Fitch) were excellent and full use was made of the large stage.
More pace should be added to the play, that runs for two and a half hours, to sharpen the farce flavour. This may come as the run continues and the actors master their lines.
Ends tomorrow night.
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