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Picture
Plays for Laughs present

Love Begins at 50


The Dixon Studio
14-18th October 2014
Plays for Laughs are a Southend based drama group started by Maggie Hooper in 2012.  She decided to start up a group with the sole purpose that each show that was put on would raise money for a Southend based charity.  Along with good friend, Belinda Belt acting as casting director, their first production was Arsenic and Old Lace, directed by Jacquee Storozynski-Toll.  The following year they produced Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime by Oscar Wilde and their latest production is Love Begins at 50 another comedy written by Raymond Hopkins and this year the money will be going to Age Concern Southend who work tirelessly for the elderly people in our area.

I almost don’t want the play to begin and if you’re a fan of Sixties music, I would urge you to get there as soon as the doors open because the pre-show tunes in the auditorium are so good.  This music leads us into the play quite nicely, for this is the era that Clive remembers fondly as it was the time before he got married; while he was able to enjoy the single life, discovering the joys of the flesh for the first time and remembering his first sexual encounters. The play opens with him reminiscing with his old pal, Jack, and wishing that he could have another stab at it.  Turning 50 and being married for 28 years to Anita, with her continuous put downs and clearly being in a loveless relationship steers Clive towards the Lonely Hearts section of the local paper, and here he picks three choices of prospective dates.  Henceforth, the fun begins.

Kevin Lehane plays Clive with Amanda Whiteford taking the part of his scathing wife. Both are clearly experienced actors.  Amanda’s characterisation and delivery is consistent throughout and a joy to watch.  Jonathan Wyre plays Jack the supposed supportive friend who manages to get Clive out of all the scrapes he inevitably gets himself into (this is a farce, after all) but with just a little less enthusiasm than I would have liked for such a great part.  A little more energy would have been nice to see.

There are some great comic turns from Jacquee Storozynski-Toll as Anita’s straight talking friend Claire and some lovely cameo’s from Leah-May Keeble and Maggie Hooper, as two of Clive’s potential love interests; and Ben Smerdon as the photographer, although I was a little confused about the fact that a young chap in 1998 was wearing rather sixties style clothing!

Carly Davison as Tracy, Anita’s spoilt daughter, made me laugh and Sue Macpherson as Emily was just lovely.

As a farce, this play I feel lacked a bit of pace in places but I’m sure that this is something that will pick up as the run progresses.  It certainly didn’t stop the audience from having some real laugh out loud moments, especially when a sausage roll inadvertently got thrown to someone in the front row. (Not sure whether that was in the script!)

This play, considering it is set in 1998, has more of a 1970s feel to it.  Think, On the Buses, Rising Damp, George and Mildred mixed in with a little bit of Carry On and that’s where I feel it should be.  It’s a safe laugh out loud comedy and Plays for Laughs have done just what they say on the tin - given us play to laugh along to.  Well done to director, Belinda Belt and all the cast and crew for a very entertaining and enjoyable evening.

www.southendtheatres.org.uk  or call the Box Office 01702 351135 for tickets
Audience Feedback

Vanessa Osborn from Leigh on Sea

“Having come out on a rainy, miserable, October evening, this gave me lots of laugh out loud moments.  I really enjoy farces and I particularly enjoyed Amanda, Kevin and Jacquee’s performances tonight.”  “I had a really good time.”

Ross Norman-Clarke from Leigh on Sea

“I thought Amanda was brilliant and stayed in character throughout.  It was well staged with a good set.” “The part of Claire, played by Jacquee was really funny.”

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