Review: Stage Struck by Ferring Amateur Dramatic Society

Fast comedy is a tricky thing to perform.
From left to right: Kruger (played by Colin Bolton), David (Jamie Crow) and Malone (John Croot).From left to right: Kruger (played by Colin Bolton), David (Jamie Crow) and Malone (John Croot).
From left to right: Kruger (played by Colin Bolton), David (Jamie Crow) and Malone (John Croot).

To keep the audience interested pace is key, with the one liners needed to be fired out at speed.

Unfortunately at times this particular show lacked the pace needed, especially in the second half which could have done with being slightly quicker and shorter.

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However, given this was the first evening and nerves probably played a part I hope this will be rectified.

It is also worth noting it has not been smooth sailing for the show.

I feel for the director as with only four weeks to go the person playing the lead character, Jenny Reed, had to step down, meaning Sandie Smith had to quickly step into the position.

Yet despite this she seemed to remember her lines so she deserves a pat on the back.

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Her sidekick, the man obsessed Shirley Simpkins, played by Karen Franklin, was very amusing. I don’t think I have ever seen a play where the character goes to make so many cups of tea!

The premise of the story was a humorous one and follows the Topspot Theatrical Agency, which has fallen on hard times and desperately needs to make some money.

Luckily it gets a call from a production company which needs two actors to take part in a police drama series based on the London underworld.

At the same time David Mackay, owner of the dodgy detective agency next door which has a very similar name, has agreed to fence some stolen jewels for a local gang.

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Unfortunately the dim-witted criminals – played by John Croot and Colin Bolton – get the wrong address and drop off the jewels to the theatre agency instead.

The play then follows their attempts to retrieve the jewels as well as how the agency tries to avoid bankruptcy.

It was nice to see a new, younger member taking part in the production, with Jamie Crow – who played the crooked detective – clearly a fan with both his fellow cast members and the audience.

When he took his top off at one point it certainly woke up half those seated in Ferring Village Hall.

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He certainly added a bit of life to the production - as did Elizabeth Toon, who played Mary Selby and surprised onlookers at the end.

Alicia Eliaskinska, who played the hopeless wannabee-actress Beryl Simpson, did a lovely version of ‘There are Worse Things I Could Do’ as Rizzo from Grease.

Plus, the magic show with characters Robert Williams (aka David Morgan) and Geraldine Carson (played by Julie Harper) was quite entertaining and clever.

The scene changes may have been slightly clunky and in many ways unnecessary as they only ever moved two or three items at a time.

However, overall this was a light-hearted evening.

The next production is Prescription for Murder and will run between Wednesday, November 23 and Saturday, November 26.