Stockport Garrick is one of my favourite venues, with a long established and deserved reputation for producing high quality shows. The main auditorium is a good size with excellent and unrestricted views, irrespective of where you're sitting. Add into that mix free parking, a nice bar and good ticket prices, you should be in for a good evening's entertainment.
The play opens with gaudily clad Gloria (Anji McGregor) walking into the lounge of the nursing home she's been at for a while. We find out later that she is 'up with the kids' and very tech savvy with Twitter and other social media and regularly in touch with her nephew Nathan. The first few minutes were all played out with very dim lighting until some of the other cast members turned up and one of them puts the light on!
The backdrop to the whole story is that the country is facing imminent danger from storm “Vera” which Gloria often verbally regales against. We meet Maureen (Win Moran) who has her head in the clouds; she was a stalwart of the local amateur dramatic scene. She constantly dreams of being a famous actress and staging her own production because she was once an extra in a film starring Richard Gere. Then we're introduced to wheelchair-bound but resourceful May (Jo Chatters) and her annoying, somewhat self righteous sister June (Elaine Pratt). Later on, lively 'St Michael' appears (named that by the others because she wears M&S nightwear). Sadly, she is also in a wheelchair and suffering from dementia but in many ways, she is the brightest of the lot when she has her lucid moments. There is also a cameo role Jed (Joseph Williams), the only man in the cast, who is an opportunist burglar but he is soon seen off by the residents. The storm is rapidly closing in and it looks like the home will be overwhelmed with the floods. The residents feel threatened and forgotten but then hope suddenly appears in the form of young Hope (Chloe Coates) who has been sent to rescue the elderly ladies. Unfortunately she can't swim but she can, and does, profusely swear like a trooper.
One scene, because of its considerable amount of expletives reminded me of the opening of 'Four Weddings And A Funeral', so this needs to be borne in mind if you come to watch. This is undoubtedly best described as a gentle comedy with elements of farce but also with significant amounts of tenderness, particularly with the monologues delivered by each of the ladies as they recall poignant or important times in their lives. That for me was the highlight of the evening as long buried secrets, such as lost loves and unhappy home lives, are individually revealed to the audience.
The opening is somewhat slow but the pace definitely picks up, especially in the second half as the marooned group hatch a ludicrous escape plan. That plan, interspersed with the ladies' tales, is the main focus after the interval.
The set, lighting and sound design were all just right and I'm pleased to report that there were no technical hitches or issues. The costumes are also well designed and appropriate to the characters. Thanks to the staff at Stockport Garrick for their hospitality and welcome and congratulations to the cast, crew and director. The play, in 2 acts, runs until Saturday the 15th.
Reviewer - David Swift
on - 10/3/20
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