A Bunch of Amateurs - Wickham Theatre Centre

By John Fox

This Ian Hislop / Nick Newman comedy-drama had a surprising depth that became more apparent as the story unfolded. The plot concerned an egotistical fading Hollywood film star cast as King Lear at Stratford. Unfortunately for Jefferson Steel—played with marvellous depth by Robert Chambers—Stratford St. John is in deepest rural Suffolk and not, as he thought, in Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon.

This seven-hander, set in the present, with relevant updating (mentions Zoom etc.) had many twists and turns in the plot and the eventual recognition by the play's egotistical central character of his own nastiness and contempt for "lesser talented players", thus enabling him to gain internal peace at long last, was a sort of "Damascus" conversion.   That he eventually fulfilled his "destiny" to play King Lear at Stratford-upon-Avon and be accepted as a valued member of The Stratford Players (Suffolk) provided a redemptive and heart-warming denouement to this fascinating piece.

Director Lynn Rushby had invested enormous effort into the characters and casting.   An experienced cast featuring only one young player brought a wealth of stage experience to bear, which must gladden the heart of any director.

An innovative insert alongside the programme proper was the faux programme that The Stratford Players gave, featuring a production of King Lear.  

The set, constructed by Ian Saunders, Adrian Pope, and Ian Wathen plus T62 members, was, but skilfully arranged as the rural Barn Theatre, with a real farm feel to it.    Other scenes, such as Mary's B&B, were effectively set out with good use of lighting by designer Jon Lewis,

The costumes were mainly practical and realistic. Even as a fading film star, Steel's markedly ordinary attire jarred somewhat. I could accept the baseball cap, but not the far-from-pristine-looking jeans.

Ian James provided top-class sound design, including "Brush up Your Shakespeare" between the many slick scene changes.

Robert Chambers as Steel was hardly off stage throughout. His was a monster of a part, in more ways than one, which he will long enjoy having played.  The performance was among the very best I have seen.  And I have seen some corkers, you may be sure!

Laura Chambers, as the tough, resourceful Lear director Dorothy Nettle, was a marvellous foil. Her refusal to give an inch to the American tyrant provided fascinating theatre, and her breakdown scene was an absolute peach to behold.

Beth Grylls, as Steel's daughter Jessica, is modern, talented, humane, and able to best her father in many ways. She gave a peach of a performance in this rewarding role.

Martin Dale's character, Nigel Dewbury, was more one-dimensional and less rewarding to play than some.     However,  Dewbury provided the Tweedle Dee to Steel's Tweedle Dum, and their constant bickering plus sword versus umbrella fight offered much of the drama in the play.   He used his many putdowns against Steel with obvious relish, consequently showcasing his jealousy of his rival.  A skilfully played role by Martin!        

Sue Hicks, as the jealous Mary Plunkett, gave tremendous credibility to this role. Sue exuded charisma on stage.

Ian Evans was the somewhat star-struck, slow-witted Denis Dobbins and bumbling stage manager and most convincing in the role.

Pauline Wathen played Lauren Bell, Bell's brewery advertising manager, and, effectively, via her husband, also the show's financial backer, admirably well. Her role was of a resourceful and able character.   Her massage scene with the injured Steel was a comic delight.

I was impressed that only one prompt was evident in the first performance. This was a very wordy, pacy play with excellent diction by all players.   Slick scene changes under   SM Ian Wathen, ASM Stuart Scott and crew Ben Kyte were punctuated with the music of "Brush up Your Shakespeare", a very apt choice for anyone who knows the plot of Cole Porter's "Kiss Me, Kate".   Both acts were preceded by the mighty Ethel Merman, belting out her unforgettable "There's No Business Like Show Business".  

And showbiz, even at such an "amateur" level as the Stratford St John players, was exactly what this whole play was about.   Well-chosen music, then, indeed!

Congratulations to the actual play director, Lynn Rushby, on her excellent casting and on achieving a pacy comic masterpiece with powerful pathos at times. Her use of a screen showing Steel's arrival in England and Dorothy's opening speech inspired thinking in the audience.

All in all, this was a fast-paced, very skilfully played, and most enjoyable production. I commend it for the excellent diction throughout and the two very realistic American accents that never wavered.