An Appreciation.
After a three year interval, the Village Hall was once again packed, for three performances of a unique play, given by an extremely talented actor, who not only wrote the whole entertainment, but, even in the face of last minute adversities, gave an exceptional solo performance on each occasion.
Click picture for more images
Nick Girdler gave us a two act play combining comedy, poetry, music hall and writing rivalry; copyright, theft and plagiarism over the last hundred years; laced with strong undertones of Nick’s own experiences and some wonderful interjections and one liners.
We visited the writing room of Marriott Edgar – 31 years after his death – and were transported back to the last century with the vagaries of the music hall and copyright.
Among the superb recitations, we enjoyed the antics of the Ramsbottom Family throughout the first act and in the second, there was a poignant recollection of the Green Eyed Yellow Idol which was a thought provoking moment.
There were plenty of props and movements to keep the audience enthralled and some hidden gems for the over 70s as well. The younger members of the audience might not have recognised some of the text, but it was brought afresh and new to them by Nick with his extraordinary capacity for accents, recollections of words and imagination. A different hat gave us a different personality. His timing was superb.
The Village Hall has been a theatre on many occasions. Nick has not only been involved in the rebuilding of the Hall but on this occasion has helped to fill it.
Everyone enjoyed the evening performances in the well liked format of show and supper break and at the Sunday afternoon show, tea was provided in the interval by Sandi Jones and her colleagues at the Country Market.
The performances were directed most ably by Pat Shirley, with Julian Gibbs and Chris Oakley providing the lighting and sound. Tickets were organised by Louise Ashton and Suzy Jackson and the printing was of the programmes donated by James Keen at Freemantles.
Props and costumes were made by Sandi Jones and Suzy Jackson, with added thanks to past members of TACT.
The amount raised, after costs is £1944. All proceeds will go to the Village Hall and the Friends of St. Peter’s.
Sukie Swan