National Operatic & Dramatic Association London Region
Society : Belmont Theatre Company
Production : LADIES WHO LUNCH
Date : 24th February 2017
Be inspired by amateur theatre
Venue : Pump House Theatre Watford
Report by : Michael Monk
Show Report
The play opened with a nice use of a short recording of a news report providing the background of the story ahead. The recording was a very effective way to open the play, well put together and compiled as though watching any standard television news broadcast. The production is staggered across three continents as we visit UK, Australia and America. Belmont Theatre produced a stunning set, designed by BILL REBELLO and members, easily identifying each country. Stage Management efficiently run by LORNA ALDER with minimalistic props managed well. by EILEEN & DAVID MOYES and KEITH CLOUGH.
Director – MARY-ANNE ANARADOH delivered a very fast paced production from beginning to end. The acting credits and highlight of the production must go to the three wives. However, the gentlemen really held their own in the one scene they had together, with nice confusion on their faces as they begin to realise the betrayal, with nobody being quite ready to accept they’ve been outplayed by a woman. Congratulations on your debut and a job well done.
Lighting & Sound EDDIE STEPHENS & HELENE - All area lighting for each apartment was straightforward and all on cue. Sound with musical interludes for covering costume/scene changes were suitable, appropriate and pleasing to listen too.
Costumes – ANNE SUTHERLAND – All the costumes were very suitable for each of the characters. There were also plenty of costume changes and the ladies were always very well turned out.
Lady Amelia – DANIELE ROBSON – A very confident performance providing the solid, scheming brains behind the operation. In control from the beginning to the end. Good chemistry with Joane & Rachel. Good stage presence and mischievous scheming.
Rachel Milchan – KIM WEDLER – A very different and simplistic role from Kim on this occasion. Good American accent maintained throughout. You revelled in the comedy in your American household. I enjoyed, in particular, your one to one scene with Harry.
Joane Stocks – JUDI CAMPION - Strong performance from a very accomplished actress. Great facial expressions and stage presence throughout with perfect comic timing, having most of the great one liners in the play. Congratulations on holding the ‘Aussie’ accent from start to finish. Good chemistry with Amelia & Rachel.
All three ladies gave exemplary performances with strong characterisation and teamwork. It is difficult to find anything to criticise or suggest improvements for such a formidable line up. As well as working so well together you also had some of your best material when acting with just your husbands. Bravo!
Sir John – MICHAEL COLLINS – Very nice upper-class characterisation and confident performance throughout. Your scene with the other two husbands was very enjoyable.
Harry Milchan – LAURENCE CONWAY – Confident performance as Harry, a man who can never find the words to describe how bad the situation is becoming. Your scene with Rachel was extremely funny.
Ken Stocks – GRAHAM BRODERICK – Interesting that the Aussie accent wasn’t to evident but perhaps the London accent was too hard to lose when moving to Aus! Having said that, Graham held his own throughout.
As I said earlier Gentlemen. I did enjoy the one scene you had all together, delivering excellent facial expressions as the betrayal unfolded.
Good support from the remaining members of the cast, Geri – TARA PATHIRANA, D L Wallis – GILLIAN WEINBERG and Bonnie/Mary – HELEN SHERWOOD
The programme, MIKE & MAGGIE MORROW, was extremely well presented and very informative. Please consider entering your poster and programme into the annual NODA competitions.
Thank you, Belmont Theatre, for a very good evening’s entertainment. I am sure you will do very well in the Barnet Festival with this play – Good Luck and do let me know how you get on please.
Thank you once again for your very kind welcome and hospitality.
Best wishes
Michael Monk
Regional Representative
NODA London District 10
Please invite your members to follow @NODA_London on Twitter, and like the NODA London Facebook page
If anyone would like to get the NODA London newsletter directly, just email Nick Ford at nick.ford@noda.org.uk to sign up
Society : Belmont Theatre Company
Production : LADIES WHO LUNCH
Date : 24th February 2017
Be inspired by amateur theatre
Venue : Pump House Theatre Watford
Report by : Michael Monk
Show Report
The play opened with a nice use of a short recording of a news report providing the background of the story ahead. The recording was a very effective way to open the play, well put together and compiled as though watching any standard television news broadcast. The production is staggered across three continents as we visit UK, Australia and America. Belmont Theatre produced a stunning set, designed by BILL REBELLO and members, easily identifying each country. Stage Management efficiently run by LORNA ALDER with minimalistic props managed well. by EILEEN & DAVID MOYES and KEITH CLOUGH.
Director – MARY-ANNE ANARADOH delivered a very fast paced production from beginning to end. The acting credits and highlight of the production must go to the three wives. However, the gentlemen really held their own in the one scene they had together, with nice confusion on their faces as they begin to realise the betrayal, with nobody being quite ready to accept they’ve been outplayed by a woman. Congratulations on your debut and a job well done.
Lighting & Sound EDDIE STEPHENS & HELENE - All area lighting for each apartment was straightforward and all on cue. Sound with musical interludes for covering costume/scene changes were suitable, appropriate and pleasing to listen too.
Costumes – ANNE SUTHERLAND – All the costumes were very suitable for each of the characters. There were also plenty of costume changes and the ladies were always very well turned out.
Lady Amelia – DANIELE ROBSON – A very confident performance providing the solid, scheming brains behind the operation. In control from the beginning to the end. Good chemistry with Joane & Rachel. Good stage presence and mischievous scheming.
Rachel Milchan – KIM WEDLER – A very different and simplistic role from Kim on this occasion. Good American accent maintained throughout. You revelled in the comedy in your American household. I enjoyed, in particular, your one to one scene with Harry.
Joane Stocks – JUDI CAMPION - Strong performance from a very accomplished actress. Great facial expressions and stage presence throughout with perfect comic timing, having most of the great one liners in the play. Congratulations on holding the ‘Aussie’ accent from start to finish. Good chemistry with Amelia & Rachel.
All three ladies gave exemplary performances with strong characterisation and teamwork. It is difficult to find anything to criticise or suggest improvements for such a formidable line up. As well as working so well together you also had some of your best material when acting with just your husbands. Bravo!
Sir John – MICHAEL COLLINS – Very nice upper-class characterisation and confident performance throughout. Your scene with the other two husbands was very enjoyable.
Harry Milchan – LAURENCE CONWAY – Confident performance as Harry, a man who can never find the words to describe how bad the situation is becoming. Your scene with Rachel was extremely funny.
Ken Stocks – GRAHAM BRODERICK – Interesting that the Aussie accent wasn’t to evident but perhaps the London accent was too hard to lose when moving to Aus! Having said that, Graham held his own throughout.
As I said earlier Gentlemen. I did enjoy the one scene you had all together, delivering excellent facial expressions as the betrayal unfolded.
Good support from the remaining members of the cast, Geri – TARA PATHIRANA, D L Wallis – GILLIAN WEINBERG and Bonnie/Mary – HELEN SHERWOOD
The programme, MIKE & MAGGIE MORROW, was extremely well presented and very informative. Please consider entering your poster and programme into the annual NODA competitions.
Thank you, Belmont Theatre, for a very good evening’s entertainment. I am sure you will do very well in the Barnet Festival with this play – Good Luck and do let me know how you get on please.
Thank you once again for your very kind welcome and hospitality.
Best wishes
Michael Monk
Regional Representative
NODA London District 10
Please invite your members to follow @NODA_London on Twitter, and like the NODA London Facebook page
If anyone would like to get the NODA London newsletter directly, just email Nick Ford at nick.ford@noda.org.uk to sign up
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