Another Calamity - Review (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Another Calamity - Review

10:20am Monday 6th July 2009

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Masquerade the youth branch of the Masque Players with the assistance of the adult group presented a sequel to their production in 2008. The first half of the show comprised a one act play Departure, written by Stephen Smith and directed by Alison Rogers, set as the title suggest in an airport departure lounge. The cast consisted of four members and although it was quite amusing it was rather slow and tighter direction would have improved the pace. This was followed by some of the youth group presenting songs from the shows with Zoe Stratford Nick Field, Lucy Church, Alice Cook, Emily Horler.

The accolade surely goes to the second half. This was a play within a play written, directed and narrated by the extremely talented Steve Rockell who runs the group. He did a superb job both with the writing but by also drawing out the considerable talent of the group. Justin Clinch played the manic director admirably with several of the cast repeating their previous roles. Sarah Dobson was very good as the dizzy Annette with Olly Rowntree competently performing as Chief Inspector Dingbat, his mistaken arrest of the gunman was superbly executed. His hapless and very funny assistant Cecil was played very cleverly by Jay Rawlings. It is not easy to portray a drunk on stage but Nick Field as Andy did a superb job. All the cast were skilful and it is not possible to mention them all by name but it was good to see Alice Cook reprise her role as Doris the tea lady albeit as a ghost. Well done Masquerade you have done it again.

Rita Carpenter.

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