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BECAUSE OF THE LOCKWOODS
Victoria Players
Burgate School Studio
Fordingbridge
April 2003

HOWEVER well a production is performed, it is often the attention to detail that makes the difference between good and excellent. All credit then to the Players for finding props and costumes that simply could not have been more appropriate to their setting.
The play, which is set in 1902 Lancashire, follows the fortunes of two families, the Hunters and the Lockwoods. It has a real feel-good factor and is so well constructed that I cannot understand why it is so rarely performed.
Betty Price had this production’s pace just right, and, apart from one character’s first-night memory lapse that had the effect of giving the final denouement too little impact, it flowed well.
Jill Saunders was a delight as recently widowed Mrs Hunter, as was Linda Shaw as her obnoxious friend, Mrs Lockwood, and there were good characterisations too from Anne Mitchell, Paul Lawston, Bernard Wilson and Lucy Luscombe.
Sarah Pollard, a Players’ newcomer and an eleventh hour replacement as Thea Hunter, fitted her role to perfection. And Barry Robbins was a joy as market trader with a heart, Oliver Reade - ee by gum, what a smashing Lancashire accent.
And if anyone needs any headache powders, I know just the people to provide them….

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

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