STAGS
AND HENS
Directed
by Braine Edge
Cast
Rachael Hilton
Oliver Franklin
Barry Callander
Joanne Cunliffe
Lorraine Sullivan
Emma Ditchfield
Rachel Wareing
Tom Cohen
Steven Catterall
Michael Wignall
John Catterall
NODA
Review
Not a play for the timid, full of bad language, and the
toilets of a nightclub as a set, but what a funny play!
Performed superbly well by a cast of twelve and each a
character in their own right, good projection, and a
well-directed play to boot.
The bride-to-be Linda, played with some maturity by Rachael
Hilton, gave us some lovely moments with her ex-boyfriend
Peter played by Oliver Franklin. Even the smallest part,
that of the Roadie Barry Callander was a good little cameo.
I enjoyed very much the part of Bernadette and her
sidekicks Carol and Frances all three super
characterisations, Joanne Cunliffe plus Lorraine Sullivan
and Emma Ditchfield gave the best I have seen from all
three.These were only topped by a performance to savour by
Rachel Wareing whose Maureen was outstanding.
As for the men, well one of the hardest things to do is
nothing and Tom Cohen as Dave the bridegroom-to-be did
nothing extremely well, at the same time being very drunk,
but was so with great control. Which leaves his four
friends Robbie, Kav and Eddie not forgetting Billy, four
strong individual portrayals as were all the girls but
Steven Catterall's Kav showed the softer side of this man
and Eddie bullying his way through life doing what he
wanted but making sure that others did not have that
choice.
Michael Wignall can be very pleased with this performance
as Paul Thompson can for his mediator role of Robbie,
keeping Billy out of trouble but missing out on the ladies.
Like the ladies we had excellent performances but the
comedy timing and facial comedy of John Catterall's Billy
was a joy and just the icing on the cake, well done all of
you.
My thanks to the cast and director for a night to
remember.
