Musings from the Merse
Thursday, November 06, 2008
HUM DRUM AM DRAMS?
The Berwickshire being flush with space published this letter today. Unusual to see such carping criticism about a local amateur production. From my experience of Amateur Dramatics in small communities (like British expats overseas) this sort of assault usually arises from some in- fighting in the society itself-perhaps one of those 'reliable and reputable stable of players omitted from the cast' inspired this epistle or the writer himself (it is a he, Feminist of Foulden)may have aspired to trip the boards.
SIR, - It is always with trepidation one goes to see a production from a company that has been defunct for so long - one notices the hand at the helm is the experienced and innovative Duns Operatic Society producer Adam Brown and so one tends to think the first production on offer in safe hands.
A newly reformed society, new blood and a tried and tested director.....however the fare served up by the newly restored Duns Players was like the Curate’s Egg - good in parts.
Brown has, over the years built a reliable and reputable stable of players that have never failed to impress, however the omission of these names from the cast list was the first warning shot that this was not a show to relax into.
Several very unsteady performances and an apparent lack of direction in some places certainly gave the impression that the “Farndale Ladies” were a very am-dram bunch indeed.
This certainly was a cross between Farcicle and the WI - and even after a few days thought it is not entirely clear if this was the intention.
Under rehearsed or given the venue just too hard to stage?
The aforementioned “egg” did indeed have its good parts - Alex Watson deservedly earning her wings for her masterly interpretation and performance, a name we can only hope to see again and one that deserves rank along with Brown’s other mainstay performers Redpath, McIver and Hartley.
A revived society must draw on its first production to draw audiences and indeed talent for its second and it only has to be hoped that this group can do both for the future .
I doubt if the undersigned will be invited to the casting couch in the immediate future.
He has helpfully given his e-mail address after his letter. Now there is a chance for all his fans to have a say.
The Berwickshire being flush with space published this letter today. Unusual to see such carping criticism about a local amateur production. From my experience of Amateur Dramatics in small communities (like British expats overseas) this sort of assault usually arises from some in- fighting in the society itself-perhaps one of those 'reliable and reputable stable of players omitted from the cast' inspired this epistle or the writer himself (it is a he, Feminist of Foulden)may have aspired to trip the boards.
SIR, - It is always with trepidation one goes to see a production from a company that has been defunct for so long - one notices the hand at the helm is the experienced and innovative Duns Operatic Society producer Adam Brown and so one tends to think the first production on offer in safe hands.
A newly reformed society, new blood and a tried and tested director.....however the fare served up by the newly restored Duns Players was like the Curate’s Egg - good in parts.
Brown has, over the years built a reliable and reputable stable of players that have never failed to impress, however the omission of these names from the cast list was the first warning shot that this was not a show to relax into.
Several very unsteady performances and an apparent lack of direction in some places certainly gave the impression that the “Farndale Ladies” were a very am-dram bunch indeed.
This certainly was a cross between Farcicle and the WI - and even after a few days thought it is not entirely clear if this was the intention.
Under rehearsed or given the venue just too hard to stage?
The aforementioned “egg” did indeed have its good parts - Alex Watson deservedly earning her wings for her masterly interpretation and performance, a name we can only hope to see again and one that deserves rank along with Brown’s other mainstay performers Redpath, McIver and Hartley.
A revived society must draw on its first production to draw audiences and indeed talent for its second and it only has to be hoped that this group can do both for the future .
I doubt if the undersigned will be invited to the casting couch in the immediate future.
He has helpfully given his e-mail address after his letter. Now there is a chance for all his fans to have a say.
Labels: Duns Players
Comments:
I read this letter too and thought it was definitely by someone who was feeling rather miffed. Very strange.
# posted by 
: 5:42 PM
: 5:42 PM
I am told by an insider that the letter writer has been dissatisfied with the Duns Players for some time and is something of a loose cannon
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