PREVIOUS PRODUCTIONS |
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OCT 2011 |
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The Story |
Lauren is like most wannabe actresses - she wants to be famous, and to be famous you have to suffer the audition process. So when she attends an audition for a 'must have', career building part, little does she know that the Director, Stella, has very strong views about how an audition should be conducted; about how the person auditioning should be tested and what should and should not be said. Stella is about to push Lauren to her mental, physical, emotional and ethical limits. Each of her auditions lasts for a complete day, and they are very much one to one.
Close to her breaking point, Lauren is subjected to alcohol, drugs and mind games as part of the audition process, all so that Stella can find out the answer to one question. How far will an actress go to get the part?
This powerful new drama is hard hitting and spiky, both suggestive and revealing; an insight into the mindsets of the examiner and the examined. |
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REVIEWS |
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N.O.D.A. Review |
Dear Mark
I must confess that I had never heard of a play called "The Audition". I knew it was a two-hander about an audition but that was about all - oh yes not suitable for under 16 year olds due to content! Well we have all experienced all sorts of auditions but never, ever one like this!. A simple enough story with Lauren, a wannabe actress, arriving for an audtion,convinced if she lands this role she will be famous and is willing to suffer the audition process to gain the part. And suffer she does - along with the rest of the audience. The director of the play auditions one candidate each day and the audition takes all day. This audition comprises alcohol, drugs and mind games and has the audience on the edge of their seats practically from curtain up. The two actresses are Leisa Cooke (Stella the Director) and Jane Walker (Lauren the actress) and what incredible performances they both gave.It is a very brave company to stage such a hard-hitting and spiky production which is both suggestive and revealing - an insight into the mindsets of the examiner and the examined.The two actresses were quite simply incredible. The intense rehearsal period lasting three months must have taken over he lives of Leisa and Jane not to mention Mark Walker, the director. Be assured it was worth every second.
Congratulations to the three of you for allowing us, the audience, to experience such an emotional evening of theatre. I would urge other companies to take a look at this play (if you dare!) This is truly amateur theatre at its very, very best
Nanette Lovell
Regional Councillor
NODA East Midlands
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MAY 2011 |
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The Story |
Of Mice And Men is one of the greatest tales of the last century, both in moralistic storytelling and personal acheivement in the real world. It was written by John Steinbeck in 1937 and revolves around the difficult lives of migrant ranch workers George Milton and Lennie Small who travel around depresion torn California looking to earn their keep. George and Lennie travel from ranch to ranch together, an act in itself uncommon during a time when men often looked out only for themselves, in a bid to "Work up a stake" with which they can settle down and live a better life together. The quick witted and cautious George often ends up looking out for Lennie. The giant's vast physical strength and limited mental capabilities often lead to situations where the men have to flee for their lives. After another similar episode they arrive at a ranch near Soledad, South East of Salinas in California.They are taken in and impress their fellow workers, particularly Lennie who's physical prowess means he can carry far greater loads and perform physical tasks much more easily than any other man they have seen. Their dream of owning their own piece of landappears to be edging closer as the eldest member of the ranch, "swamper" Candy, offers to pitch in his savings to help buy their own place in return for them allowing him to live there too. But dissaster strikes as the promiscuous wife of the ranch owners son, Curly, begins to get her claws into Lennie which leads to the big friendly giant killing her in a panic after a mix up while he was stroking her hair. With the staff of the ranch out in a mob and screaming for Lennie's blood, George faces a moral dilemma that will change his life forever. |
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REVIEWS |
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Independant Review |
OF MICE AND MEN
THE MASQUE THEATRE
THURSDAY 26 TH MAY 2011
Bonkers Theatrical production of John Steinbeck’s classic 1937 play, based on a novel by the same author, was brought to the stage superbly by Director Mark Walker. The simple, but effective, stage set was complemented well by a concise lighting plot, both of which enhanced a very well thought out production. The clarity of each set helped the audience know exactly where the action was taking place.
I particularly liked the brave direction in the bunk room where the necessary pauses were used to great effect in many places (something that a lot of directors would have fought shy of, such is the demand for pace in general these days.) Also the horseshoe game played off set was cleverly done.
The production stayed true to the play’s core needs and benefitted from some fine acting. The opening scene between George (Alan Galway) and Lennie (Mark Walker) established the characters very well indeed and these characters were consistent to the end. The characterisations for the slow lumbering Lennie and for the caring but direct George came over in abundance and I felt a great sympathy for both characters. Mark gave an inspiring performance which immediately had the audience on his side. Alan’s George was crammed with emotion in every scene, whether bemoaning his life because of his need to care and look after Lennie’s interests or in the poignant passages of dialogue as he tended Lennie’s needs to hear about their dream of having a place of their own. Lester Cooke, as Slim, gave an excellent performance with bundles of charisma. His manner and delivery was superb and he managed to hold the necessary gravity to show that he was in control of the variance of emotion required for the role. David Wicks (Candy) kept his physicality very well and I always saw the frail, frightened man whose future looked bleak. Leisa Cooke yet again excelled, she managed to bring to the part of Curley’s Wife (any guesses to why she was never named in the novel?) a tremendous amount of inner turmoil. From disliking her character as she used her sexuality to intimidate the labourers to feeling sympathy for her lonely plight Leisa brought every ounce of emotion to the audience and the scene with Lennie prior to the ‘unwise discussion’ on Lennie’s need to be tactile that culminated in her death, was beautifully portrayed by both actors. During this scene Leisa’s timing and delivery regarding the missed Hollywood opportunities and the need for her Mother to approve of her life choices were brilliant. Jon Baish gave a fine performance as Whit, his accent and demeanour was wonderfully consistent and vibrant, particularly when he was describing his forthcoming night out at the parlour. I very much believed Greg Ottley as Crooks, he mastered the ‘continually defensive and contemptuous nature’ of the character which gave more impact to his eventual invitation to Lennie of sitting with him in his room. Greg also mastered the ‘back injury’ stance consistently. Other supporting roles including Sam Holbird as Curley, Steve Hough as Carlson and Andre Anthony as The Boss helped this production towards being successful in its staging.
Overall the piece was collectively performed very well and congratulations to Mark for managing to direct as well as perform, in both capacities I feel he excelled.
Staging a classic is always risky but, in my opinion, Bonkers pulled it off with aplomb.
Jonathan Reynolds
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N.O.D.A. Review |
Dear Mark
Thank you for your invitation to review Bonkers recent production of “Of Mice & Men”, a gritty adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic book which has for some time become a set piece read for many GCSE English Literature students.
Of Mice and Men is set against a backdrop of America's Great Depression in California in the 1930's. Two men move from farm to farm in search of work. George is a fast talking man of the road and extremely protective of his close companion Lennie. Lennie on the other hand is big and strong, totally unaware of his own strength but he has the mind of a child. George and Lennie are determined to buy a small farm of their own after years of earning a living as itinerant workers.
Their dreams of a new life, however, are undone when Lennie, all good heart and pure feeling, accidentally kills the flirtatious wife of the ranch owner’s son, Curley, nicely portrayed as a nasty piece of work by Sam Holbird. The cast of ranch hands (Steve Hough, Lester Cooke, David Wicks, Greg Ottley, John Baish and Andre Anthony as The Boss), each found their own character identity and played their supportive roles with confidence. However, Of Mice and Men is very much about George and Lennie and Alan Galway and Mark Walker both played their respective roles with great conviction. Lennie can so easily be overplayed by inexperienced amateur actors and the role of the ‘retarded giant’ can quickly degenerate into caricature and become embarrassing for the audience. Mark Walker did well not to let this happen and was very believable with his child like innocence. I would have perhaps liked to have seen a little more of a contrast between the childlike, frightened and the wild, angry persona of Lennie but generally this was a convincing and very strong performance.
Leisa Cooke acted the role of Curly’s wife with her usual understated reliability and commanded the stage when she was on, however I felt that the characterisation in this production lacked the ‘trailor trash’ image that the script demanded and therefore drifted somewhat from the original intentions of the author. In the same vein I felt that the dramatic ending with Lennie turning to face George’s gun a split second before the shot was also not in keeping with the original piece. In the novel Steinbeck makes it clear that Lennie dies in blissful ignorance demonstrating the love of his close companion.
On a couple of occasions, particularly the ranch hand scenes, the piece could have benefitted from a pick up in pace as the dialogue had a tendency to drag. Also whilst a very brave move of the director to build the suspense when Carlson takes Candy’s dog Jake outside to shoot him, the resultant, intentional silence of nearly 3 minutes left the audience feeling that the actors had in fact forgotten their lines or were anxiously awaiting a gunshot that wasn’t happening.
This would perhaps have been softened if ad-libbed dialogue of the ranch hands had started earlier and their reactions had been aimed towards the direction of the ranch house door instead of into the wings.
The overall look of the piece was excellent. A simple but very effective set was complimented by good lighting design and authentic props.
On the whole this was a powerful piece of theatre, well executed (if you pardon the pun) and one that many amateur companies would shy away from due to the complexity of the piece and the demands of the two leading performers. You should be very proud of your achievements.
Please pass on my congratulations to the cast.
Neil Richardson
Regional Representative
NODA East Midlands – District 7
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OCT 2010 |
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The Story |
The play focuses on a group of girls and local lads who venture out for a night of pre-marriage stag and hen party celebrations. The action takes place in the Gents and Ladies loos of a tacky night club, where Linda and Dave (bride and groom-to-be) have decided, unbeknownst to each other, to hold their stag and hen parties. Linda runs into her old boyfriend, Peter, a musician with a single climbing up the pop charts, but who is back in town on this particular night - playing a gig at the club. Whilst entering the club, Dave, in a drunken stupor, becomes ill from the indian curry he ate (washed down with a copious mix of Asti Spumante and Southern Comfort) and spends the remainder of the evening (and the play) in the Gents, with his head down the lavatory bowl! His mates, including Kas, and gang leader Eddy decide to take the law into their own hands when they suspect that Linda has developed a crush on Peter and may be having second thoughts about marrying Dave. Chaos ensues in this very coarse evening of fun. |
REVIEWS |
N.O.D.A. Review |
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your invitation to Kevin to review Stags and Hens and for the warm hospitality extended to myself on the night as I deputised for him.
This was, as many audience members commented, an enjoyable performance of a brilliant and very funny script which drew many laughs from the audience throughout the performance.
The Direction (Mark Walker) showed strong ideas for the contrasting characters in both teams of Stags and Hens who interacted well. The setting of the piece was fairly simplistic with effective use of lights to highlight the relevant performance space within the toilets and the corridor outside, although there were several dark patches in the corridor which meant some loss of facial expression and which could have been solved by raising the FoH lights slightly to enable the light to fall on the faces of the actors. I was surprised to find it had not been set in Liverpool as my understanding of the piece is that the action takes place in a Liverpool Nightclub and I did feel that the references to Peter moving away to London were somewhat lost as the cast were all using southern/cockney accents. Willy Russell tends to script the text of his pieces using colloquialisms and language choices which lend themselves to the Scouse accent and I did feel at a couple of times that some of the humour was lost by displacing the piece. However I do fully understand in amateur performances that accents can be testing and it may well have been that as director you felt using a more familiar accent would enable the cast to deliver the lines more effectively.
It was set in effectively designed toilets which were well constructed and whose décor were distressed in a very believable fashion and which immediately set the scene. A couple of small issues with the set were the sink and (a personal issue!) the symmetry of the cubicles. I know (or rather I understand) that in male toilets there are less cubicles however I did feel the off-centre setting of the cubicles leaving the males with less stage space than the girls made positioning in the male side more awkward than it need have been. The sink, although well thought out in terms of half-and-half paintwork was set at such an angle that actors on both sides were having to approach the sink from the side which looked unnatural and, particularly on the ladies side, were using a mirror apparently set sideways on to the sink. The toilets were extremely effective, however please remind Maureen to lift the lid when she is going to heave her guts!
Costumes for the majority of the characters were well-conceived, particularly for the girls who transported me back to my pre-teenage (oh alright!) and teenage years of the 80s with crimped hair, bright eye-shadow and rah-rah skirts and the costumes of the males highlighted the different characters in evidence. The costume and wig for Peter was somewhat comedic, reflected in the audience’s reaction on his first entrance which rather detracted from the idea that his character is that of an up-and-coming and ‘cool’ pop star, really the straight male character of the show.
There were a number of strong performances from a cast that contained several strong performers in their own right however I must single out for mention Lester Cooke for his outstanding performance demonstrating great pace, wide range of tonal inflections and a strong and utterly believable characterisation. Leisa Cooke also gave an extremely strong performance in the role of Bernie with a hard-edge that contrasted beautifully with the other girls and an excellent range of light and shade throughout.
Mark, I am sure you are very proud of what you achieved with your production of this funny play and the praise I have no doubt you received from your audiences. Please be so kind as to pass on my gratitude to all those involved in the production and thank them on my behalf for a very enjoyable night out.
Kindest regards,
Anita Walker, deputising for Kevin Sheen – Regional Representative NODA East Midlands – District 7 |
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ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST |
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MAY 2010 |
Nominated for NODA Region 7, Best Drama 2010 |
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The Story |
Tyrannical Nurse Ratched rules her ward in an Oregon State mental hospital with a strict and unbending routine, unopposed by her patients, who remain cowed by mind numbing medication and the threat of electric shock therapy. But her regime is disrupted by the arrival of McMurphy, the swaggering, fun loving trickster with a devilish grin who resolves to oppose her rules on behalf of his fellow inmates. His struggle is seen through the eyes of Chief Bromden, a seemingly mute half Indian patient who understands McMurphy's heroic attempt to do battle with the powers that keep them all imprisoned.
‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ is a powerful piece of theatre that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. |
REVIEWS |
N.O.D.A. Review |
Dear Mark,
Firstly may I thank you for your invitation to come and review your production of 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'.
This was an absolute treat and the second time this year I have had the priviledge of witnessing a very professional performance from a Drama Group in my District.
A very strong core cast kept their focus and character throughout and gave a performance befitting a bigger audience. Extremely well directed by Mark Walker, the show took the audience on a journey of highs and lows and, at times, made them feel guilty for laughing out loud. Very well done!
The set was simple but effective, the lighting more so. The sound and voice-overs were clearly audible which i have found is not always the case in this venue.
I can not, within the constraints of the normal NODA Report, pay tribute to each individual performer so I will comment on those who impressed that little bit more. Performers like Julie Futcher (Nurse Ratched) who was 'caringly vindictive' from start to finish but managed to portray her own mental frailties. Superb! Alan Galway (R. P. McMurphy) was excellent as the dominating but loveable, cocksure lead. Very well played. Paul Whiteman (Cheswick) was also worthy of mention for his portrayal though I think he tended to deliver his lines directly to the audience a little too often. David Wicks (Dale Harding), Neil Richardson (Martini) and Lester Cooke (Scanlon) all deserve praise for their focus and characterisation. Again, very well done to all.
But, for me, it was Jon Baish (Billy Bibbit), Steve Hough (Ruckley) and Mark Walker (Cheif Bromden) who made the show that bit special. Jon's performance as the stuttering Billy grew more impressive by the minute and was professional throughout. The same can be said for Steve's portrayal of Ruckley. He only had four lines in the entire show but he very nearly stole it. Superb. Mark Walker gave a performance to be proud of. He engaged the audience in his early silence and endeared them to him when he 'awoke'. Professional.
What more can i say? I thoroughly enjoyed the show and would ask that you be so kind as to pass on my gratitude and genuine admiration to all those involed in the production and also say that I very much look forward to your next.
Kindest regards,
Kevin Sheen - Regional Representative NODA East Midlands - District 7 |
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JULY 2009 |
Winner of NODA Region 7, Best Drama 2009 |
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PREVIOUS PRODUCTIONS |
The Story
The story revolves around two boys, Mickey Johnston and Eddie Lyons, both from different backgrounds. One from a well off family, The Lyons’, and one from quite a poor family, The Johnston’s. The two boys become friends at the age of seven and we watch them grow into adults. But there is a secret that Mrs Johnston and Mrs Lyons hold. Eddie is the twin brother of Mickey, who was given away at birth to an infertile Mrs Lyons. As the two grow up they become very close and are even in love with the same girl, Linda. As they all grow older Mickey and Linda are married but, due to recession, Mickey becomes chronically depressed. He also believes Linda is having an affair with Eddie.
He then sets out on a mission to find his ‘friend’. Mrs Johnston and Linda hurry after him in a last ditch attempt to stop him killing his twin. Mrs Johnston finally tells the brothers the truth, but with tragic consequences.
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REVIEWS |
N.O.D.A. Review
Dear Mark,
Superb, absolutely superb. From start to finish this emotion charged performance exuded professionalism. It was extremely well directed, extremely well performed and built methodically to a climax which left many of the audience in tears; and if you create that sense of belief in your audiences' mind you know you have a good show on your hands. Though accents tended to waiver in some scenes it would be churlish to view this in any negative way. The show was a joy to watch.
The lighting plan, setting and direction worked extremely well together and created moods that expertly matched the plot unfolding on stage.
It is not unusual to view a show and see one or two of the performers stand out above the others. This show was not like that. From the brooding, but not overly sinister, portrayal of The Narrator (Mark Walker) to the increasingly neurotic, eventually psychotic portrayal of Mrs Lyons (Pam Dee) the actors took their characters, made them their own and delivered each one in turn to a very appreciative audience.
It is probably easier to sum it up like this:
Eddie - Neil Richardson; Excellent
Linda - Jane Walker; Excellent
Mickey - Alan Galway; Excellent
Mrs Johnston - Julie Futcher; Excellent
Mrs Lyons - Pam Dee; Excellent
Narrator - Mark Walker; Excellent
Swing - Jon Baish; Excellent
You have set yourselves a benchmark that may be difficult to maintain, however, it will be an absolute delight to see you try. In closing may I ask you to please pass on my thanks to the entire company for a thoroughly entertaining afternoon and I very much look forward to your next production.
Kind regards,
Kevin Sheen - Regional Representative NODA East Midlands District 7
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Evening Telegraph Review
Congratulations to Director Mark Walker, who also gave a beautifully underplayed, yet powerful performance as Narrator, moving in and out of the shadows, bringing a palpable sense of doom as the story unfolded to the most tragic of consequences. An unholy deal struck between desperate Mrs Johnston, played to absolute beleivable perfection by Julie Futcher and the neurotic and childless Mrs Lyons, played with a real sense of anguish by Pam Dee, wreaks havoc with the lives of the twins. Mickey (a lovable rogue) is beautifully characterised by Alan Galway, and Eddie, (the sensitive and refined brother) played with wide eyed admiration by Neil Richardson gave a contrast between the twins' charcters which worked exceptionally well. The catalyst for the ulimate disaster of the piece is their love for the lovely Linda, saucily played by Jane Walker.
Each actor was challenged to portray the aging process, from the exuberance, optimism and physical portrayal of childhood to adulthood, and succeeded. Mickey's anguish at realising his dysfunctional life could easily have had the privileged ease of Eddie's, was heart wrenching as was each mother's portrayal of the burden of their guilty secret which defined each person's life.
The cast was completed by Jon Baish, playing a variety of characters to complete what was truly an ensemble piece of theatre.
Funny, moving, thought provoking and enhanced with the simplest of sets, props, atmospheric lighting and authentic costumes, this is a thoroughly enjoyable production that deserves full houses at each performance.
Karen Coles & Jonathan Reynolds.
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One of many letter's recieved after the production
Dear All,
Myself and my family came to see your show yesterday evening at The Castle. This was my 14th time watching Blood Brothers be it the musical or the play either in the West End or as far away as Germany.
Hand on heart, your show has to have been the best performance I have seen. It was outstanding. So a big well done to all of you, thank you for a fantastic evening out.
Kind regards
Claire Phillips (Wellingborough)
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