Twyford Drama’s performances of Richard Everett’s ‘Entertaining Angels’ last week-end left packed audiences intrigued.
The cast admirably worked together to depict five distinct, very contrasting characters and each persona’s stage story embraced every human emotion possible, leaving each audience feeling exhilarated one moment, yet philosophical or even dispirited the next. It was a veritable roller coaster ride where viewers were expertly guided through the twists and turns and ups and downs of the play’s highly emotive plot.
Despite the pathos portrayed within the unenviable plight of the vicar’s widow, Grace (Sandra Miall) having to leave her family home after the sudden death of her husband Bardy (Mike Higgins), the three audiences were uplifted by the sometimes comic, sometimes intense, sometimes loving and sometimes disturbing interchanges between Grace and her sister ( Beth Reynolds), her daughter (Caroline White) and Bardy’s successor (Joanne Davis) as each surprised us with their own personal revelations.
The eclectic cast owned the play, which had been capably crafted, directed and fine-tuned by Twyford Drama’s stalwart Frank Kay, who masterfully manipulated each actor’s individual strengths aided the insightful support of his assistant, Viv Williamson.
Each audience’s reaction over the three evening performances was quite unique and, as such, became an integral part to the action on the stage; this resulted in the creation of three very distinct productions over the course of the weekend period.
The spectacular set coupled with clever lighting (courtesy of David Goddard) and evocative sound engineering (created by Ian Darling), successfully created the two congruent acting spaces within the garden of the house. The physical setting, whose impressive construction had been designed and created by Gavin Robinson and his team of artists and organised by Stage Manager Parvinder Kandohla, remarkably incorporated a stream, a house, a pergola a greenhouse and a grassy garden – and remained constant throughout the performance as a backdrop to time passing through pacey action and costume changes.
This play, written by Richard Everett, proved to be fascinating, and held the audience’s attention throughout, leading to probing conversations about the plot over a drink at the well- sourced Loddon Hall Bar during the interval and at the end of the show.
Well done to Twyford Drama who are already launching themselves into rehearsals for their January pantomime, ‘Buttons’ Dream’, written and directed by their very own Emma Cianchi. Tickets are now on sale for this new show, which will be staged at Loddon Hall on Friday 17th, 18th and 19th January, 2025. Tickets are already on sale and can be obtained from the group’s website at www.twyford drama.co.uk or through their box office number 01183282825.
