The Lichfield Players never cease to amaze with their ability to discover quality dramas I haven’t seen before and stage them with their own distinctive style. And this past record is no flash in the pan. Just a glance at their eclectic upcoming programme confirms my view.
With their current offering they’ve surpassed even themselves. This is an evening of stylish entertainments that ticks just about every box. I was already looking forward to seeing the four plays that make up Duets, but when I discovered they were by the author of End of The Rainbow, a brilliant show about Judy Garland’s 1960s visit to London which received standing ovations on tour in 2011 I was even more by intrigued.
I’m not going to reveal the plots of these four little gems, that would spoil the surprises, but just must say the set and lighting are impressively professional while the seasoned cast bring a certain chic to these poignant comedies.
In Blind Date Jan Goodwin and Phil Shaw are touchingly realistic as two getting-on-a-bit singletons looking for love, while in Secretarial Skills Mandy Davies and Greg Spencer (new to me) seem to have stepped straight out of a glamorous and slightly heartless metropolitan world where love may come in unexpected forms.
Rosemary Bodger has never been better than in The Holiday (playing drunk convincingly is the hardest thing there is). I first spotted her co-performer Andrew Brennan in David Titley’s play about St Chad and found him unusually convincing. Here he delivers, seemingly effortlessly, once again. One to watch out for.
Finally Charlotte Killick is delightfully droll in Bride To Be while Ian Davies turns in a movingly realistic performance as her older brother.
So what’s not to like? You get four nicely crafted plays for your money, some charming live musical interludes to lull you in between and because seating’s in cabaret style (tables for four) you get to take a drink in.
All in all a charming and sophisticated evening out.
