"A SEAT IN THE PARK" IMAGES, CRITS etc
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THORNBURY GAZETTE - MAY 1999
Drama notes with BERNARD WOOLF
The Village Players Pilning "A Seat in the Park" by Cherry Vought covers a span of years, and is made up of five playlets. This was my first visit to this group and I was impressed with their list of previous productions,' especially as they have to work in fairly confined conditions. In most cases, timing, inflection, emphasis, speed, gesture and facial expression were used to great effect. The play opens with the first‑story "See if I Care"and introduces three characters who feature in other sections. .Pat Woodward, as the first' old lady was sharp and demeaning. The second old woman (Phillippa Verity‑Davies) hangs onto every word and is perhaps envious of her friend as she has little to look back on.They were true friends, even when the first old lady's family story is shattered when a third woman appears, who turns out to be the daughter, sincerely portrayed by Becky Page who also appeared in "Night Song" finding sympathetic support and advice from an unlikely source. Agnes the Loo attendant and Rose of "No Fixed Abode" ‑ both parts well taken by Denise Priddle and Carol Woodhouse. The third story "The Pleasure of Your Company" presented a situation most of us have come across, seeing someone you think you recognise, but agonising' as to who and where. In this two‑hander, KingsleyHill and Lindsey Thomas were! both amusing and entertaining with thoughtful and gentle reactions to their situation."Everything in the Garden" opened with Trish Coughlan and Dave Silcock (from RadioBristol Helpline) who had stepped in to save the day, as the wife and husband an a coach holiday to London. Both gave an accurate study of long-married couple having come to terms with each others failings. Timothy Allen, as a foreign tourist, came over convincingly. We were re‑united with the two old Ladies for the final piece"Still Life" They still argued‑ and bickered, but the friendship was as strong as ever.
BRISTOL OBSERVER
"A SEAT IN THE PARK"
THE VILLAGE PLAYERS-MAY 1999
The live playlets which made up CHERRY VOUGHT'S thought provoking comedy "A SEAT IN THE PARK" could, in the wrong hands, have been a recipe for disaster. All the more so with different directors for each segment, two of which have no apparent connections with the other 3. Fortunately the Players have within their ranks and file a wealth of experience and talent and with the likes of PAT WOODWARD and PHILLIPA VERITY‑DAVIES acting their socks off and showing the younger members of the cast how it really should be done, this reviewer could only reflect on the fact that it was a pity the production hadn't been entered in the Rose Bawl competition for the former of the two would undoubtedly have walked off with the best actress award."SEE IF I CARE " really set the scene with the park bench adjacent to the conveniences and the attitude of senior citizens to intrusion into what they regard as "their" space, both physically and mentally. It led nicely into "NIGHT SONG" with BECKY PAGE bridging the gap between the segments as MARILYN the wayward daughter of the 1st Old Lady (Pat Woodward ‑ who also directed Night Song). Sadly this character disappeared and one can only speculate as to her fate. " THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY" was a delightful piece with Kingsley Hill as the erstwhile TV personality and LINDSEY THOMAS forging an unlikely link, while "EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN" has more depth than was readily apparent as DAVE SILCOCK quietly impressed with his understanding of the character of the retired head gardener and TRISH COUGHLAN as his wife displaying all the care and attention that a long lasting relationship can and does achieve. Co‑Director Julie Tyzak also appeared as the 1st WOMAN accompanied by the very talented DAISY CANNON (of whom we will undoubtedly hear more in the near future).STILL LIFE" rounded off the proceedings and with it featuring the two Old Lady's from "See if I Care" made one realise that what goes around, comes around and the characters on display were all recognizable. It may have been set in London, but it could have been anywhere.Full marks to the Players for a thoroughly entertaining evening. Alan Powell. Bristol Observer. May 1999
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