Who:
Myall Coast Entertainers Inc.
What:
A trilogy of one act plays.
Where:
Hawks Nest Community Centre
When:
Friday 18th October 18th,
at 7pm; Saturday the19th at 2 and 7pm; Wednesday the 23rd,
at 7pm and Friday October 25th at 7pm.
Cost:
Free
OCTOBER the 19th saw the opening
night of the Myall Coast entertainers 2013 show at the Hawks Nest Community
Hall.
This night featured three short, one-act
plays written in the first few decades of the 1900s; ‘Overtone’, ‘Yesterday’
and ‘Fourteen’. All were entertaining and showcased some quality acting skills.
“We did (these shorter plays),“ said Elizabeth, one of the three directors, “to
give everyone a chance at doing something different.”
Whilst
not the fanciest of settings, the night still had a cosy, country-town feel to
it. Though the strains of Mozart as you entered seemed out of place, this was
soon forgotten in the break once you heard the sweet soul of Eva Cassidy
singing of how there “ain’t no sunshine when he’s gone.” And even though the
prompter down the front got more air-time than you would expect, such slip-ups were
quickly forgiven once they were so good humouredly dealt with.
In
the first play, ‘Overtone’, we met two women (Margaret and Harriet) discussing
business over a cup of tea. Both were completely unaware of their alter-ego
(Maggie and Hetty) behind them shouting instructions and voicing their true thoughts. Hetty, played by a local
store owner, was acted out with great enthusiasm and much theatrical flair. It
was hilarious too to observe how whilst the real lady was doing her utmost to
treat the other with decorum, her alter-ego was in fact demanding of her to do
just the opposite!
In
‘Yesterday’ we met two people who had left the main room of a lively party. “Can’t
stand this music,” said Sir Richard Farrington, “it’s so loud!” to his
companion Lady Anne Travers. As the pair spoke it soon became apparent that they
were once lovers many years ago. Anne, to her credit, quickly figured this out;
poor Richard, on the other hand seemed very slow on the uptake and a bit gawky,
attempting to swing his pocket watch only to find it to be caught around his
jacket button!
The
final play, ‘Fourteen’, saw the heroine Mrs Pringle doing her best to adjust to
the ever-changing number of guests in the face of a blizzard. This was made
notable by some great characterisations. Mrs Pringle, for example, had a
commanding note to her voice which sounded very similar to the regal way the
Queen might talk. The butler boasted a deep, English flavoured baritone which
made me think, “now this fellow really seems quite cool, calm and collected!”
And Mrs Pringle’s daughter, Elaine, was heart-breaking on two fronts: she
possessed a girlish charm similar to that which made Audrey Hepburn so endearing,
and her voice instantly brought back memories of Rachael Weisz with her elegant
lilt in The Mummy.
Were
there gaffes? Plenty. As it was the
opening night though, I have a hunch the troupe will only get tighter as the
showing progresses and I shan’t be the one to rain on their parade. So to the
Myall Coast Entertainers, thanks again for a great night!
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