Mixed Doubles
June 1984
by various authors, directed by Mary Jones
Cast: The Vicar - by George Melly Vicar - Gordon Halliday - A Man's Best Friend - by James Saunders Jackie - Sybil Hopson Pete - Trevor Collins Score - by Lyndon Brook Harry - Gordon Halliday Sheila - Alison Lambourne Norma - by Alun Owen The Woman - Mary Jones The Man - Philip Jones Night - by Harold Pinter The Lawyer - by George Melly Lawyer - Philip Jones Permanence - by Fay Weldon Helen - Gillian Yates Peter - Brian Bowker Countdown - by Alan Ayckbourn The Husband - Jim Orford The Wife - Louise Wigfield Silver Wedding - by John Bowen Audrey - Joan Bowditch Julian - Ray Parrott Resting Place - by David Campton The Old Woman - Margaret Butt The Old Man - Ben Grimsey | Production Team: Producer - Mary Jones Stage - Roy Wheeler & Mike Trout Lighting - Barry Matthews Sound - Norman Wren Front of House - Lynn Trout Make-up - Diana Lucas Costumes, Props - by members of the cast Photographs - Don Steven |
Reviews:
From Estuary News:
...Gordon Halliday and Philip Jones... demonstrate great mastery of the skill of timing...
Slap-bang in the middle of Wimbledon fortnight and in that season when many were contemplating the celebration of nuptual bliss, Estuary Players' production of Mixed Doubles provided a welcomed interruption to the first of these institutions, and a timely opportunity to appraise the second.
When Trevor Collins, the 'blushing groom', made clear his intention to tune his guitar at half-hourly intervals throughout his honeymoon, the mould was set. The eight episodes from married life were often hilarious, occasionally sad, but always tragic. How much do doubles players know, understand and think about each other? How tolerant are they of each other? How much do they take for granted? These were the questions that burned long after the lights had gone down.
As the evening bounced from wedlock to deadlock (view that as you will), there were some sparkling performances as each of the couples revealed their own marital truth. Jim Orford and Louise Wigfield, in Ayckbourn's Countdown, switched from speech to thought in a manner both fluent and convincing, while Joan Bowditch's treatment of Ray Parrott on their twenty-fifth anniversary was positively menacing.
The whole presentation was neatly boxed by Melly's Vicar and Lawyer, allowing Gordon Halliday and Philip Jones, respectively, to demonstrate great mastery of the skill of timing.
A large part of the credit for stimulating these performances and for working ten disparate elements into a very cohesive whole undoubtedly goes to Mary Jones, the producer.
I look forward to your next one, Mary.
Photos:
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