So there we have it. Our 2007 autumn production of Ben Elton’s Popcorn opened in Kingston Bagpuize Village Hall last evening for a three-night run. The audience numbers were very respectable for a first night and the play got under way at 8pm sharp.
I have said before the language was on the strong side but as a production you have to see round this, plus as the group voted to go ahead with the play one has to go with the flow.
Anyway the standard of acting witnessed by the audience last night outshone much seen on the television of late. Rob Hall as psycho Wayne had a massive role and kept his southern USA drawl up throughout. Emily Joyce also shone as Wayne’s murdering sidekick Scout and still looked as lovely as ever despite her attempt at impersonating white trash. The props and effects were excellent and though the dialogue seemed to drag a little towards the end of the second half, it didn’t deflect from the excellence of the production. To be fair Ben Elton isn’t known for his economy with words so it’s no wonder his plays tend to lean towards the verbose.
Playing the part of the Oscar winning Hollywood Director Bruce Delamitri was Sidney (formerly known as John) Hicks. Now Sidney also turned in a magnificent performance as the big shot movie mogul, but then this is the sort of sterling performance we have come to expect from this seasoned performer.
Rob Bateman as Karl and Andrea Spencer as Bruce’s in-the-middle-of-a-divorce wife Farrah were totally believable in these supporting roles with the talented Andrea delivering her lines with impressive conviction and style. Sarah Curran as model-sorry actress- Brooke Daniels also did well in a demanding role that not only called for her to remove her tights seductively but also involved getting shot. Shame.
Jean Hignell as Bruce’s spoilt daughter Velvet and the two newsmen Charlie and Bill played by Matt Bassett and Steve Hudson made up the cast of the play.
It never fails to amaze me the professionalism of our productions. You would expect me to say that I guess but in a village the size of Kingston Bagpuize it is extraordinary to find such a small group putting on shows with sets that it many cases are equal to the efforts of professional theatres. Having said that members come from as far away as Swindon and Kennington and all points in between
Anyone interested in Popcorn tickets for tonight or tomorrow please call 01865 820605.