NODA Nomination 2010
We were delighted to be nominated for
Production Award for Best Play
for our production of Absurd Person Singular,
performed in March 2010.
Read on for the full National Operatic & Dramtic Association review.
NODA Review, April 2010
ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR
Review by: Joyce Handbury
Presented by: BELPER PLAYERS
Venue: The Strutt Centre, Belper
Performance dates: March 2010
Director: Ed Ashworth
This is a new venue for the Players and although as yet it is very basic the group have great hopes
for future developments within the centre.
There is no stage so to choose a play that takes place in
Three Acts and in three different kitchens was indeed a tremendous challenge but the Director, Ed Ashworth,
and Stage Manager, Darren Hall, admirably managed to bring their ideas to fruition and along with all the
props needed did indeed create the three different kitchen sets.
This Alan Ayckbourn play follows the lives
of three married couples on three successive Christmas Eve parties, all the action taking place in their
respective kitchens. The changes in the couples' status and situations provide the underlying structure of
the play.
In Act 1 we are in Sidney and Jane’s kitchen. Neil Winfield excels in both aspects of Sidney’s
character from the wimpy businessman touting for a leg-up to being a financial success by Act 3. Jo Hayes
is totally convincing as his nervy wife, Jane, who delights in cleaning. Act 2 sees us in the kitchen of
Geoff, an architect, and his pill-popping wife Eva. Mark Ince (Geoff) delivers an excellent 'soliloquy' as
Jane Wilton (Eva) sits totally non-plus in her own little world. Eva, who never speaks during the whole
scene, then goes on to try everything she can to kill herself being inadvertently rescued each time by
totally oblivious guests. This was a superb piece of acting by Jane Wilton enhanced by the timely reactions
of the other cast members. The 3rd Act takes place in the kitchen of Ronald, a banker, and his wife Marion.
Their fortunes have taken a turn for the worse and Keith Whittaker excellently portrays this and Jackie
Beresford does an admirable job of changing from a patronising snob to being absolutely drunk, lamenting
her lost looks.
Congratulations must go to everyone involved with this production, not forgetting the 'dog',
for even attempting to do this play in the confines of this venue and for the outstanding result they all achieved.
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