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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Storm in a Teacup
Verdict: Old-fashioned comedy
Northumberland - Snods Edge 10 June 05 - 19.30 (40 min)
Storm in a Teacup is a one-act play from a cast of 4.
Grace (Beverley Stukins) discusses her successful son Geoffrey (Tom Stukins)'s new third new wife with daughter Megan (Christine Affleck). Megan is unmarried, 37 and counting, and lives with mum. The characters are sitcom stereotypes with humour to match. New wife Adrienne (Judith Hewitt) has a French accent straight out of Allo, Allo and an infectious giggle. Geoffrey hopes his mother won't make sarcastic comments about the French, his ex-wives or grandchildren. (She does all three.)
Grace accuses daughter Megan of being 'the oldest virgin in the North East'. She tells her to get a handsome husband - 'something to look at when the novelty wears off.' But Megan isn’t interested in men. Adrienne reads the tea-leaves - they predict a baby. A white mouse enters. Adrienne is left screaming on a chair - in Estuary English. Grace is convinced that Adrienne is pregnant but not French. Geoffrey apparently knows that his wife is a chameleon who changes at his whim - but certainly is not expecting.
Storm in a Teacup is writer Joyce Swan’s first play. It has potential - but perhaps needs more development with the actors. Beverley Stukins is very secure as mother Grace. The other actors sometimes speak their lines uncertainly - as though they don’t completely believe in them. In writing terms, the surprise at the end is too quick, too unexpected and unconvincing. In places, the dialogue explains too much rather than revealing through the play - and the words don’t flow. The parts are overwritten and dated. Yet this curiously old-fashioned approach works. Tonight, a full house enjoys it, and there is a lot of laughter.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Christine Affleck – Megan Tait. Judith Hewitt – Adrienne. Beverley Stukins - Grace Tait.
Tom Stukins – Geoffrey Tait.
Company Credits: Writer – Joyce Swan. Director - Sandy Rawson. Technical Operator – Venue Staff.
Company – Snods Edge Players. Funders and Supporters: National Lottery Awards for All (www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk),
The Nationwide Foundation (www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk), Tynedale Council (www.tynedale.gov.uk)
END
(c) Peter Andrews 2005
reviewed Friday 10 June 05 / Snods Edge, Northumberland.
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
