This review of the show appeared in the parish newsletter in April 2002

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THE SPRING REVIEW AT THE FILKINS THEATRE: 

 

   Concierge Sandy Saunders greeted us on the 22nd March at Filkins Village Hall which with separate tables and flowers, had been dressed up as a boulevard café for the evening, with vin rouge and ittybits ad lib; maitre de nuit was Mike Clark and maitre de ceremonies Richard Martin; costumiere par excellence Jane Martin. Serving us most attentively throughout the evening were Doreen and Joe Lowden, Eileen Wise and Sheila Philipson, promptly at our elbows.

   The programme was divided into three parts, which meant a busy night for Andy Hoad at the curtains control!  Michael Schultz was “Mr Sparks”!

   Jeremy Taylor kick-started us in surplice and stole with a highly convoluted sermon of hackneyed phrases which got us nicely tittering and the atmosphere continued with two sisters-of-mercy (Eileen de Brandt and Eleanor Jane Martin) discussing form in the sport of kings in terms quite, quite suitable to their calling; a triumph of double-entendre.

   A highly involved sketch followed based on the portrait “Amazing Grace” with amanuensis Linda Young, Sisters-of-Mercy Pat Clark and Sue Ashforth-Smith, and highly excitable Julia Neame and Pat Scott – Sister Gabriel was the wraith-like figure conjured up by Suzanne Dore.

   After Interval No 1 came more Sisters-of-Mercy in Pam Assiter and Gill Baxter with superbly decorous movements – then a complete change (and highly topical!) – John Betjeman’s “Hunter Trials” recited by Eleanor Jane Martin (correctly kitted out!)

   Next came, in every sense, the tour de force – Drum Major Pat Clark and Drum Majorettes Linda Young, Barbara Bristow, and Julia Neame – Filkins Village Hall came through the volume of sound with utter rapture!

   A very realistic battle of wits followed as Pam Assiter and her (imaginary) cat discussed who was to wear the trousers; a real pro act!

   Of all things to succeed this domestic duel we had the sinuous dancing of Nicky Livermore in perfect costume, with, in the background, two dancers of the Seven Veils cavorting burlesquely; behind the veils were, I think, Pam Assiter and Vivienne Godfrey; prowling around mischievously (as ever) were two gorillas.  From time to time these gorillas would appear before the curtains – do four steps forward, four steps back, bow to the audience and disappear!  Who – and why?  Rumour has it – could they have been Barbara Bristow and Sue Ashford-Smith?!!

            After Interval No 2 we had (uniquely in my experience) a (literally) one-off!  Jeremy Irwin-Singer, the interviewer, and David Heslam, the interviewee, who must have notched the world record for getting about a stage on one leg (I misremember why the interview was taking place; like the rest of the audience I was wondering if he could keep it up (ha-ha!)

   This singular (ha-ha) turn was followed by Linda Young and Pat Clark as a couple of Champagne Charlies quite disgustingly "snobbish"!

   Then we had a classic – John Cambridge and Pat Scott in “I remember it well”; what a climax to (I say it again!) a Filkins Theatre tour de force!

   Overall I just marvel at the versatility and musicality of the players of Filkins Theatre and how it accurately measures what we will enjoy.  

   ES