Dora Brooking GDA Adjudicator
Habeas
Corpus GDA Adjudicator’s review,
Quite
often, there is a tendency with amateur dramatic societies to consider any form
of comedy as an easy option when, in fact, just the reverse is true. As an experienced
and long-founded company, I am confident you are fully aware of this and your
experience with a complicated and difficult production such as 'Habeas Corpus'
which has several layers of theatrical
genres involved, must have proved a
tremendous challenge for both cast and director. Despite this, it is the only
one of Bennett's plays to be performed regularly by amateurs! It's cheap to put
on and there are plenty of good parts - henpecked husbands, frustrated wife,
lecherous curate, ubiquitous char - and everyone is slightly larger than life -
not caricatures and not altogether farce; death doesn't quite lay down his
book!! Incidentally, the original production of this play ended on an extremely
black note with Wicksteed (Alec Guinness) beginning a debonair dance number,
which slowly shuddered to a halt as the spotlight dwindled - a real dance of
death! I believe most amateur productions turn this dance into a knees-up which
is very different - but no bad way to end! As is stated in your programme, this
is a complex play 'with far more levels, themes and twists than even a BBC
'sitcom'. It does not fit neatly into the standard categories of comedy and a
cast which can reflect this complex play with all its underlying implications
must be prepared for much discussion with both director and each other.
SET
·
The
set was bare - as it should have been. In fact in some ways, the table could
have been discarded and a fourth chair substituted. A bare stage is essential
to a bare text, which Alan Bennett worked hard on before the very first
rehearsals started in 1973!
· I would have liked to have heard the music as the audience entered but it could barely
be heard and seemed to be a distant rumble of sound. If it is to be heard, then a little
louder please!
· The introductory music prior to the curtain was most appropriate but went on rather
too long. The music used occasionally throughout the production was also most
suitable.
LIGHTING
· The lighting was quite satisfactory throughout although occasionally the spots were not quite ‘spot on'!
PROPS
· All handed in from the wings exactly on cue - good backstage work! Canon Throbbing did well on his bicycle!
· Wicksteed's suitcase was suitably aged and in keeping with the period.
COSTU
· Well done Wardrobe - often more difficult to accommodate present past than period costume. Hair styles were good, guide outfit (not forgetting the woggle!) right period and you managed to secure Lady Rumpers' fox fur!
DIRECTION
· What a tremendous task confronted you but one which you rose to most courageously. It was very difficult to encourage your cast to make the most of the humour without acting and turning the characters into caricatures! In the greater part you succeeded in doing this.
·
· I thought the pace was good throughout, apart perhaps from the final scene when all was revealed! This did go on a little, but I realize how difficult it would have been to cut any of the marvellous lines! Perhaps Lady Rumpers could have increased the speed of delivering her long speech and the pace in general could perhaps have taken a greater momentum.
· I was most impressed with the sequence between Sir Percy and Throbbing which gradually increased in intensity until the fatal slip of the tongue. This was extremely well executed.
·
· You were expert in extracting every ounce of humour out of the various situations, but I feel one could have been made more aware of the pathos inherent in this.
·
The
'hanging' of poor
ACTING
A very good attempt at this difficult role. You came very near to the character Alan Bennett visualised. You played it 'straight' which made it more humorous, while at the same time delivering much of the dialogue in a thought-provoking manner -particularly one or two of your odd observations! There were occasions when I failed to hear parts of your dialogue - take care not to drop your voice too much at the end of a sentence. The words are inclined to trail off rather and consequently one has to strain to catch the last few words. You moved about the stage confidently and delivered your asides to the audience in a most amusing manner. Congratulations on a most commendable effort.
You took to this role like a duck to water! You'd never be short of employment if you advertised your domestic services! I felt you revelled in this part and enjoyed every minute of it. You obviously had a pleasing insight into the role - and indeed into everyone else's! Facial expressions and both hand and eye movement were excellent. I have seen this role played in a rather more sardonic manner but I liked the affable 'anxious to please' interpretation with its occasional 'tongue in cheek' observation. In fact you were instrumental in holding things together - so to speak! Well done indeed.
You obviously have a great deal of talent and you succeeded in squeezing the last drop of humour in a situation at every possible opportunity. One has to give you great credit for this, but I felt there was a great temptation to turn this character into more of a caricature. I can quite understand this, but maybe 'under-playing' on occasions would have produced an even better result, in that perhaps the audience -as well as laughing at the situation would also be aware of the pathos and the blackness of the humour generated. A tremendously difficult task I know, but I feel I should point this out.
Your
abandoned, erotic dance was hilariously funny and you have a great stage
presence. I felt you inspired confidence in others. By the way, did you too
have to employ the services of
I actually played this role some years ago, and loved every minute of it. It's a great character part and you certainly did it justice. I watched your nervous gestures -pulling your skirt over your knees constantly and your 'caved' inwards posture - until of course you were able to flaunt your 'appendages'! You sustained the role through- out and astounded the audience at the end with your glamorous appearance on your final entrance.
Poor Dennis, virtually abandoned by his family at an early age. No wonder the poor boy suffered from so many attention seeking ailments. You certainly looked the part, with your self-effacing attitude and dejected posture. A very brave effort indeed.
A splendid
energetic performance! You extracted every ounce of comedy without actually
going over the top. I thought your excitement during Lady Rumpers' story of her
past was very, very funny when you anxiously waited for her to get to the juicy
bits! Your projection was excellent and movements about the stage confident and
natural. You manoeuvred
your bicycle ride perfectly! I thoroughly enjoyed your
This was a great performance. I think Bennett would have thoroughly approved of your interpretation. There was pathos needed and you found it in the character you created. You played the role 'straight' which was exactly what was needed, and in doing so one could relate to your constant reminders of who you were, your pride in your position in the medical profession and your indignation - as well as your indiscretions! Excellent projection and movements about the stage. How on earth did your trousers fall exactly on cue? Congratulations.
A commendable performance. Perhaps on this occasion one could afford to slightly overdo the frightfully, frightfully, ex-colonial, pukka accent! Nevertheless, this was a most acceptable effort. Well done.
A good performance. You increased in confidence as the play progressed. If anything, you were rather too sweet for this 'woman of the world' little minx who needed a husband - preferably one who wouldn't last too long in this life! Good clear voice - 1 heard every word.
Another great performance. You played this role most convincingly. There were some very funny moments - especially when you were innocently adjusting the 'appliance' when in fact they were the real thing. You were never tempted to over- play the role which resulted in an excruciatingly amusing performance. Congratulations, I thoroughly enjoyed your efforts.
A smaller role but extremely well done! Your facial expressions were great and your 'cry for help hanging' a real show-stopper! A macabre happening but tremendously well executed. I felt a great relief when the chair was placed back under your feet!
Thank you