It's a Wonderful Life
Southend Drama Society
The Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
7th - 10th December 2016
8pm
Southend Drama Society
The Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
7th - 10th December 2016
8pm
George Bailey is a small-town man whose life seems so desperate he contemplates suicide. He had always wanted to leave Bedford Falls to see the world, but circumstances and his own good heart have led him to stay. He sacrificed his education for his brother's, kept the family-run savings and loan afloat, protected the town from the avarice of the greedy banker Mr. Potter, and married his childhood sweetheart. As he prepares to jump from a bridge, his guardian angel intercedes; showing him what life would have become for the residents of Bedford Falls if he had never lived.
The play begins with the disembodied voices of the angels preparing Clarence - who still hasn't got his 'wings' - for his assignment by going back in time to allow him to see all the good things that George has done in his life. It's not until we get to half way through Act 2 of the play that we actually 'see' Clarence at the point where George has become so desperate as to want to jump off a bridge into the icy waters below.
Southend Drama Society have certainly given themselves a huge task in producing this ambitious piece of theatre. A well known and extremely popular film at this time of year, It's a Wonderful Life, is one of those films which is synonymous with feel-good Christmas movies, despite its somewhat serious and rather depressing subject matter. Of course there is humour to be had and particularly so in Doug Rand's stage version. Southend Drama Society make good use of not losing any opportunities to highlight the comedy elements in this production, albeit a few unwittingly - a rather noisy and enthusiastic snow machine being one offender - but you have to admire the Society's pluck.
It certainly was a brave producer who decided to take this mammoth task of a show on, with its numerous entries and exits, props, staging, costumes, music, sound and lighting; all perfectly executed by the equally numerous cast. A special nod must go to the Dixon Studio's lighting and sound engineer, who I believe was Alex Abineri, although he is not mentioned in the programme.
Heading the cast as George Bailey is Rick Fiore who plays George from a 12 year boy to a grown man and certainly gives Jimmy Stewart a fair run for his money in a part that he has clearly done his homework on. Emma Carlile, as Mary, also does a fine job as George's ever patient and loving wife, especially with the many costume changes needed for this role.
Brad Taz as Uncle Billy provides some good comedic value to the production albeit in a rather oversized suit, as does Bill Peel when he finally shows up as Clarence.
With many of the roles having to be doubled up, this play can often seem rather busy at times and in the scenes where there is almost all the cast on stage I did feel a little distracted by some of the 'upstage' performances and not what was actually being said by the leading performers.
One huge scene stealer, it has to be noted, is Ernie's Taxi Cab, which really needs to come back and have it's own show!
The second Act is where the real action starts to happen and where the stage is a-glow with Christmas lights, much to the delight of the audience. Much of Act 2 is taken up with Clarence showing George just how life could have been for the townsfolk if he hadn't been born and done all the good things for his friends and family. Of course, you will have to go and see the play if you want to know if the ending is the same as the film (will George jump, will Clarence earn his wings?) but suffice to say, most of the audience members that I saw leaving the auditorium, had very happy smiles on their faces.
For tickets go online to southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135 - tickets are also available to buy on the evening.
The play begins with the disembodied voices of the angels preparing Clarence - who still hasn't got his 'wings' - for his assignment by going back in time to allow him to see all the good things that George has done in his life. It's not until we get to half way through Act 2 of the play that we actually 'see' Clarence at the point where George has become so desperate as to want to jump off a bridge into the icy waters below.
Southend Drama Society have certainly given themselves a huge task in producing this ambitious piece of theatre. A well known and extremely popular film at this time of year, It's a Wonderful Life, is one of those films which is synonymous with feel-good Christmas movies, despite its somewhat serious and rather depressing subject matter. Of course there is humour to be had and particularly so in Doug Rand's stage version. Southend Drama Society make good use of not losing any opportunities to highlight the comedy elements in this production, albeit a few unwittingly - a rather noisy and enthusiastic snow machine being one offender - but you have to admire the Society's pluck.
It certainly was a brave producer who decided to take this mammoth task of a show on, with its numerous entries and exits, props, staging, costumes, music, sound and lighting; all perfectly executed by the equally numerous cast. A special nod must go to the Dixon Studio's lighting and sound engineer, who I believe was Alex Abineri, although he is not mentioned in the programme.
Heading the cast as George Bailey is Rick Fiore who plays George from a 12 year boy to a grown man and certainly gives Jimmy Stewart a fair run for his money in a part that he has clearly done his homework on. Emma Carlile, as Mary, also does a fine job as George's ever patient and loving wife, especially with the many costume changes needed for this role.
Brad Taz as Uncle Billy provides some good comedic value to the production albeit in a rather oversized suit, as does Bill Peel when he finally shows up as Clarence.
With many of the roles having to be doubled up, this play can often seem rather busy at times and in the scenes where there is almost all the cast on stage I did feel a little distracted by some of the 'upstage' performances and not what was actually being said by the leading performers.
One huge scene stealer, it has to be noted, is Ernie's Taxi Cab, which really needs to come back and have it's own show!
The second Act is where the real action starts to happen and where the stage is a-glow with Christmas lights, much to the delight of the audience. Much of Act 2 is taken up with Clarence showing George just how life could have been for the townsfolk if he hadn't been born and done all the good things for his friends and family. Of course, you will have to go and see the play if you want to know if the ending is the same as the film (will George jump, will Clarence earn his wings?) but suffice to say, most of the audience members that I saw leaving the auditorium, had very happy smiles on their faces.
For tickets go online to southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135 - tickets are also available to buy on the evening.
Ask the Audience
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John Abbott from Basildon
"It was a really entertaining evening. The lead actor playing George was very good and really sounded like Jimmy Stewart. They all worked bloody marvellously - half way through it I forgot that they were amateurs. The audience seemed to be really in to it." |
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Alison from Aveley
"I've grown up with the film and watched it many times and I thought it was portrayed very well throughout. It's my favourite film and I wasn't disappointed. It's also really good value." |
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