Reviews

Report by:   Richard Hamilton-Leighton on Thursday 9 November 2023
Venue:  Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond
Director:  Mike Walker

     My recent visit to the Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society's performance of 'Whisky Galore' at the Georgian Theatre Royal was a delightful experience. Set in the intimate and historically rich venue, it offered a stark contrast to my previous Shakespearean tragedy encounter. This comedy not only provided a hearty dose of humour but also showcased the impressive range of talent within the society, making it a memorable evening of theatre.

'Whisky Galore' is a humorous and heart-warming play based on the classic novel by Compton Mackenzie, which was inspired by a true story. Set during World War II on the remote Scottish island of Todday, the plot revolves around the island's inhabitants, who find themselves in a state of despair due to a shortage of whisky, their beloved national drink. However, their luck takes a comical turn when a shipwreck delivers a precious cargo of whisky barrels to their shores. The islanders embark on a mission to salvage the whisky before the authorities catch wind of their unorthodox windfall, leading to a series of misadventures, witty schemes, and endearing characters that make 'Whisky Galore' a charming and uproarious tale of community spirit and the love of good spirits.

     Before I mention anyone specifically, overall I was thoroughly impressed by the cast's exceptional ability to bring a multitude of well-rounded characters to life. The sheer versatility of the actors was notable as they seamlessly transitioned from one role to another, often with just a change of a hat or a subtle shift in demeanour. Each character felt distinct, with unique quirks and mannerisms, making it easy for the audience to follow the intricate web of relationships and personalities within the play. This nimble ability to embody such a diverse range of characters added depth and authenticity to the production, making it all the more engaging and humorous whilst showcasing the cast's acting talent. – Well done.

     Under Mike Walker's direction the comedy was both well-placed and delightfully free-flowing, avoiding farcical extremes. His meticulous timing and attention to detail added a layer of sophistication to the humour while allowing the cast to express their comedic talents with a sense of naturalness and spontaneity.

     Among the talented cast, Natasha Wood stood out as a remarkable performer. Her portrayal of each character was passionate and engaging. Her rendition of Joseph Macroon, complete with a ginger beard and a red hat, was both hilarious and captivating. Natasha Wood's ability to infuse her characters with energy and humour added a unique and memorable dimension to the play, making her performances a true highlight of the evening.

     Rachel Hall's exceptional talent shone brightly, her standout ability to provide each of her characters with distinct Scottish accents was truly impressive. Accents can be notoriously challenging, but she effortlessly mastered a variety of Scottish accents, each lending authenticity and depth to her characters. One of her most memorable portrayals was that of Donald MacKechnie, complete with a surprisingly high-pitched Scottish accent that took everyone by surprise. This unexpected twist in her character's voice added a layer of humour and unpredictability to the performance, making it a standout moment in the play and a testament to Rachel Hall's remarkable versatility as an actress.

     Jodie Martin's performance was also notable, with her characterization of Paul Waggett being particularly noteworthy. Her unwaveringly humorous delivery was a delight, and the scene in the car, enhanced by clever projection techniques, was undeniably funny. Jodie Martin consistently demonstrated her leadership in comedic acting, with her portrayal of Paul Waggett standing as a prime example of her remarkable talent and ability to keep the audience thoroughly entertained.

     Suzie Merritt's performance was highly commendable. Her portrayal of Fred Odd stood out among the diverse characters on stage. Fred Odd's grounded and relatable character allowed Suzie to lead the story along, providing a strong narrative anchor. Her performance added depth and continuity to the production, and Suzie Merritt's skilled acting brought a sense of balance and coherence to the play, making her contribution truly enjoyable.

     Jennifer Roberts, in her role as Monty the author brought a dynamic element to the play through her adept interaction with the audience, breaking the fourth wall with charm and wit. Her stout British accents added a touch of authenticity to her character, enhancing the overall comedic experience.

     Coral Lincoln's performance was nothing short of incredible, showcasing her prowess as a physical comedic actor. Her physicality and comedic timing added humour to the production, making her scenes a joy to watch.

     Eleanor Harland's expanded role was a pleasant surprise, and she demonstrated an excellent control of comic timing. Her beautiful singing on two occasions on stage added a musical dimension to the play, underlining her versatility as an actress and further contributing to the overall entertainment value of the production.

    The props were notably effective and added an authentic touch to the production. The attention to detail in creating book covers and magazines was particularly impressive. I extend my gratitude to Charles Lambert for his contributions in this regard, as these props seamlessly integrated with the performance and enhanced the overall experience.

     Indeed, a well-deserved commendation to everyone involved, and a special recognition to Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society (RADS) for their continued commitment to delivering excellent plays. Their dedication and talent were evident in 'Whisky Galore’, and it's a testament to the enduring quality of their productions. Kudos to all for a job well done!

Report by:   Barry Jones on Friday 10 November 2023
Venue:  Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond
Director:  Mike Walker

     Philip Goulding’s stage adaptation of Compton Mackenzie’s famed comic novel sees Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society – in the form of the Pallas Players (an all-female theatre company) – putting on a play: Whisky Galore.

     It is quite a challenge – requiring a seven-strong cast of women playing 25 parts (both male and female plus a dog); with two characters even being played by three or four different people.

     Confusion could reign but the all-female cast of RADS certainly carried it off with style and aplomb, and the audience were treated to a flurry of different accents, costume changes and the adornment of various beards, moustaches and wigs. All done to the greatest of comic effects with much hilarity.

     For those not familiar with the story, the plot is set in 1943 on the Scottish islands of Great and Little Todday, where the whisky supply has dried up because of the war, leaving tensions amongst the islanders running high. Relief comes in the form of the shipwreck of a vessel carrying 50,000 bottles of whisky just offshore. Collective anarchy breaks out as the desperate islanders try and squirrel away as many bottles as possible before the intervention of the authorities. Underpinning this are the relationships between the islanders themselves, including two sets of courting couples and the very funny dynamic between the hapless George and his overbearing mother.

     If the acting is spot-on in its engaging combination of rollicking physical theatre, panto and farce then it is equally matched by the ‘special effects’. A big screen at the back of the stage is used to project images of the different island locations, with a particular mention going to the hilarious scene where a small car speeds along a country road and then goes into reverse. The sound effects of different bird calls also gain momentum as the play progresses, with fulmars, curlews and skylarks all taking their turn. All in all, there is considerable attention to detail which greatly enhances the overall enjoyment of the play.

     This is a joyful show with a huge sense of fun. You got the impression that the cast were certainly enjoying themselves and judging from the hoots of laughter erupting from the audience this was an experience. Go and see it if you can.

Report by:   Andy Bramfitt on Thursday 9 November 2023
Venue:  Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond
Director:  Mike Walker

     The 1949 movie by Ealing Studios (based on real life events and written by Compton Mackenzie) is brought to life in the sumptuous surroundings of Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal. For those unaware, Whisky Galore is the tale of a shipwreck off a fictional Scottish island, the inhabitants of which have run out of whisky because of wartime rationing. The islanders find out the ship is carrying 50,000 cases of whisky, and offer to help salvage the precious cargo, some of which happen to be squirreled away as a ‘finder’s fee’, much against the opposition of the local Customs and Excise men, the stationed Army Captain and the local hotelier (who fears his trade will disappear when the locals have all they need stashed away at home).

    Whilst the stage adaptation is undoubtedly very funny, the direction of Mike Walker and the performances of the cast ensure that this does not descend into silly farce, which is to be much applauded as many other attempts to stage ‘Whisky Galore’ have taken the cheaper route to laughs.

     Instead, the ladies of Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society, in the guise of The Pallas Players, treat the audience with respect and let their own comedic qualities drive the fun and funnies – no ‘oops vicar’ moments and more like Mischief Theatre (Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, the Bank Robbery etc); in fact I’m sure the world famous purveyors of ‘play within a play’ and well-rehearsed ‘spontaneous’ mishaps would be happy, nay flattered to have their craft so positively compared to the RADS’ teams current production. There is also more than a passing nod in style and performance to Isobel McArthur’s smash hit play Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of).

    Playing all the parts (of which there are over 25 roles to cover!) costumes, mannerisms and accents ensure we know exactly who is playing whom, we are never left wondering if we are watching the Pallas Players or the characters on the Todday isles (except for when we are meant to, which results in some hilariously funny breaking of the 4th wall).

     It is sometimes harder to appraise a play within a play, especially a comedy based on a less than professional fictitious theatre group, but one thing that is without doubt – this is a very talented group of ladies who produced a brilliantly enjoyable evening.

    Definitely recommended.

Theatre4Everyone