Silchester Players

Silchester Players chose Ray Cooney and John Chapman's fast moving and well written comedy for their latest offering.  And what a superb offering it was.  A very talented cast, a first class set, and a pace and sense of fun to satisfy any audience.  Professional director Colin Flaherty brought the very best out of the actors and gave a touch of real class to the proceedings.

The improbable yet hilarious action is set in Philip and Joanna Markham's flat where various liaisons have been planned for the same evening, each one unbeknown to the other.  The resulting mayhem forms the body, so to speak, of the piece.

Pam Singfield (Joanna Markham) gave a highly accomplished performance with excellent facial expressions and timing, and Robert Whitehead (Philip Markham) was perfectly cast and most professional in his delivery, giving great comedy to his role.  Kevin Belcher as the camp interior designer Alistair was excellent and Bryony Paton as Sylvie Hauser looked and sounded great.  Wendy Roper (Linda Lodge) enjoyed and played her part extremely well bringing to it all the right ingredients.  Ian Hartwell (Henery Lodge) was expert and professional in his delivery, and Keith Graham was absolutely superb in his cameo role as Walter Pangbourne, as was Janet Taylor who had us all in stitches as Miss Smythe, the potty children's writer.  No play of this type would be complete without a naked woman in the bed, and Gianna Bouchard fitted the bill perfectly.

The general pace was amazingly good, and the incredible situations were handled well, with good timing and comedy.  The gloss was added to by a super set, well dressed and lit.  This was a first class production, and one of the best amateur plays I have seen for a while.

Soccer's Blackburn Rovers ride high in the FA's Premier League — chiefly because of the club's pre-season signing of Southampton and England striker Alan Shearer.  It is proving a sound investment.  Ask opposing goalkeepers!

And so is the 'signing' of theatre expert Colin Flaherty by the Silchester Players.

Their current presentation of the Ray Cooney - John Chapman comedy Move Over Mrs Markham is as good – if not better – then anything I have seen by amateurs in the laughter stakes in the Basingstoke area for years.

Before the first night I was told: "This fast-moving story needs a lot of work from the actors and actresses and, anticipating this, the group engaged Colin Flaherty.

"Known for his work with the Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society – and his own acting school – he has worked with the cast to recreate the flavour of the piece on the cosy stage in Silchester Village Hall."

And from the kick-off to the final whistle (sorry, curtain!) Move Over Mrs Markham fairly bubbled along.

Apart from a couple of hiccups on the opening night (and what would an amateur production be without one or two?) the cast of nine did a good job.

Regular theatre-goers will know the story … fun and games in a London flat where a woman hopes to have a sexual encounter with a friend while her husband is planning a similar arrangement with an attractive young thing … and the occupants also getting involved in the situation.

Top marks to Pam Singfield and Robert Whitehead as flat owners Joanna and Philip Markham and sharing the bouquets are Wendy Roper and Ian Hartwell as the fun-seeking Linda and Henry Lodge.

Kevin Belcher deserves much praise, too, for his role as interior designer Alistair who, thanks to Messrs Cooney and Chapman, has something going with the shapely and sexy Sylvie (ready maid for Bryony Paton!) and manages to share a bed with Joanna who co-operates while seeking to spite her misinformed husband.

Kevin who also designed the excellent set and the publicity posters carried off the part with gay abandon … so to speak.

And another gem in the cast is Janet Taylor as authoress Miss Smythe — and a ready made Madame Arcati if ever I saw one!

Perhaps these Players will spirit her into a certain Noel Coward classic one day!

Keith Graham is convincing as Linda's plaything Walter – effectively dressed to resemble a cross between Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy – and the attractive Gianna Bouchard looks sweet and (almost) innocent as the girl who arrives to 'entertain' Henry.

Director Colin Flaherty brilliantly moulded the Silcheter boys and girls into an impressive group.

You think this is flannel?  Well, there is a chance to see for yourself.

Move Over Mrs Markham continues in the village hall tonight and again tomorrow (from 7.30 pm).  Enquiries on Tadley 0734-814707.