Stage One’s latest production provides a rare treat for Paphos theatre audiences
TEN years as a theatre critic in the UK has meant that I have sat through some of the worst, and the best, that am dram could offer.
What a joy it was in coming to Paphos to discover the Stage One Theatre Group at Empa and to watch their performance of Heatstroke. I was very impressed and would place them in the top stratum of amateur groups – amateur they may be in status, but very professional in their presentation and I look forward with great expectations to their next production when Jillian Ford directs Comfort & Joy by the Rochdale cowboy, Mike Harding.
Heatstroke runs from Wednesday to Saturday and has been so popular that the group has been able to sell seats for the final dress rehearsal as well.
Described as a brash, bawdy comedy, the play centres around a dysfunctional family who get together to celebrate Christmas – personalities clash, secrets come out and the whole thing is a lot of fun, for the cast and the audience alike. The large cast of l23 includes two newcomers to Stage One ranks, Emma Nicolaou who was last on stage during her schooldays, and Jackie Matthews, who is treading the boards for the first time at Empa.
We, the audience, are asked to imagine… the traditional family Christmas gathering – the tree, the turkey, the presents, the family, the relatives from Australia whom you haven’t seen for years. Add in the grumpy old uncle, pine needles, Christmas tree lights that don’t work (although they did last year when you packed them), and your daughter’s weird boyfriend you’ve never met but you know he’s going to be somewhat odd but not quite so bad as the neighbours from next door but three, Monica and Chapman (played to perfection by Denise Richards and Tony Ford) who are regular fruit and nut cases spending their lives angel spotting everywhere.
As the director, Jillian Ford, says, she is sure that everybody will recognise someone they know or maybe would dread meeting, although I must express a liking for grumpy old Goff (David Hardman), and Terry Dionne’s performance as the Irish man, Martin – his accent was just enough to sound authentic without going OTT. Jackie Matthews’ debut role with Stage One can count as a success for her – she gave the role of the mother (Margaret) a feeling that most wives must have on Christmas Day.
I have seen a lot of this play in the past but I must admit that it is the first time I have heard genuine laughter from the production crew etc. and that at a rehearsal to boot.
As usual, great credit must go to set designer, Cathy Asater and her team for yet another wonderful set – it deserves applause in its own right.
Christmas crackers always contain a surprise, usually not worth having, and this cracker of a Christmas show contains a surprise of its own which is well worth it – it happens when… no, I won’t tell you for that would spoit it.
The group celebrate 20 years next year and has put together an entertaining programme of plays to mark the occasion: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde in early March; Private Lives (Noel Coward) follows at the end of April; October sees their efforts at Educating Rita and their first ever musical My Fair Lady rounds off the year in December.
With the high quality this group offer I must ask the question – how about an extended run next time? The ticket buying public obviously want it.
Heatstroke at Stage one in Emba, Wednesday to Saturday. For information call 99 967737
