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Castle Players Village Hall Lytchett Matravers April 2004 From the moment that Chris (Tess Hutton) downed her first vodka as husband Ken (Don Cherrett)  panicked ineffectually, both of them trying to come to terms with the fact that their host at a 10th wedding anniversary party was lying upstairs with an unexplained bullet wound in his ear, the humour of this bitter-sweet comedy exploded into life with a vengeance.And once the other couples – Claire & Len (Linsey O’Neill & Pete Griffiths), Cookie & Ernest (Val Thomas & Mike Satchell) and Cassie & Glenn (Rebecca Thomas & Alan Colclough) – arrived then it was only a matter of time before the situation was completely out of control. Police officers Conklin and Casey (Patrick d’Ardenne & Geri Coombe), who had called on a different matter entirely, probably wished they had chosen another evening. There were fine performances all round, although both Len and Ken did have rather a tendency to shout when they became angry. But what’s a little loudness between friends when the end result is so good? And what a great set too. Linda Kirkman Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo 
The Broadstone & Poole Community Magazine reviewer wrote: NEIL Simon's farce flowed seemingly effortlessly from start to finish. Rumours has the potential to be hilariously funny, when timing, casting and delivery are spot on.This, Castle Players achieved perfectly with their usual aplomb. From the first moment
when Chris and Ken (Tess Hutton and Don Cherrett) are trying to cope with finding the Assistant Deputy Minister of Finance,
Charley, dazed in his bedroom with a bullet hole in his ear lobe and his wife Vivian and domestic help missing, through to the final moments when, with the assistance of the remaining party
guests, the most bizarre explanation is concocted, the play kept the audience riveted.
They were comfortable in their roles with the couples well matched and succeeded in making the whole ridiculous situation seem believable. Praise should be extended to all - Claire and Len (Linsey O'Neill and Pete Griffiths), Cookie and Ernest (Val Thomas and Mike Satchell) and Cassie and Glenn (Rebecca Thomas and Alan Colclough). This was the first Neil Simon play directed by Frank Holden, and he should be celebrating its success. But this was a night of team work. Everything came together with apparent ease. An excellent set and props, effective lighting, especially the final scene, costumes and sound all contributed to the success. 
Newcomer Geri Coombe making her debut on stage as a police officer will be a welcome addition to Castle Players. If I could have changed one thing it would have been Patrick D'Ardenne's> portrayal of police officer Conklin. To me he was a little too laid back, but with such a dynamic cast driving the production, it would have been hard for anyone to keep up the momentum. - Liz TurnerThe photographs feature: 1 - Tess Hutton and Don Cherrett as Chris and Ken 2 - Mike Satchell, Val Thomas, Pete Griffiths, Rebecca Thomas, Geri Coombe, Linsey O'Neill and Patrick D'Ardenne (from left to right) 3 - Alan Colclough, Linsey O'Neill, Pete Griffiths and Rebecca Thomas Mike Satchell can just be seen at LH edge of pix 4 - Geri Coombe, Patrick D'Ardenne, Don Cherrett, Tess Hutton, Mike Satchell, Val Thomas, Pete Griffiths, Linsey O'Neill, Rebecca Thomas and Alan Colclough this view of the curtain call is included, as it effectively shows the Players sophisticated set. |
Neil Simon's script is brilliant, full of one liners from guests
with bizarre problems
and an overwhelming desire to avoid scandal. But this is not a
play for inexperienced
actors. It could so easily have fallen flat had it not been for
the enthusiasm and
talent of the cast which made every implausible action and
reaction seem totally believable.
