REVIEW
Too Much Punch For Judy
Presented by The Wednesday Players
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
Wednesday 19th September - Saturday 22nd September 2018
Too Much Punch For Judy
Presented by The Wednesday Players
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
Wednesday 19th September - Saturday 22nd September 2018
I was privileged to witness a fine piece of amateur dramatics tonight in Southend's Dixon Studio. Too Much Punch for Judy tells the story of a fatal car accident, inspired by actual events from 1983, when an intoxicated Judy crashed the car which was carrying her and her sister home from a night out.
The play is only one hour long with no interval, so it is really action packed, with lots going on. Two narrators provide context for the play, while others add headlines from the era, such as the introduction of pound coins, which reminded me of Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire' which was ironic as a tribute act was playing downstairs.
The themes of grief and guilt are quickly introduced as there is no ambiguity about what is going to happen. There are no surprises here, with the exception of some great comedic rhymes from the actors, as they portray a night out, searching for booze fuelled fun with the opposite sex.
At one point the supporting cast seemed to form a Greek chorus commenting on the events as they unfolded. The casual nature of drink driving is expressed through the characters' conversation, who make it seem like a regular, socially acceptable occurrence.
The play switches from the comic to the tragic in an instant, when we hear the mother of the two girls (played brilliantly by Megan Fane and Jessica McAllister) talk about her deceased daughter. We hear the contrast between the two girls: Jo being the more sensible of the sisters.
The crash is depicted with an excellent piece of performance art, using harsh red lighting and the supporting cast dancing with black poles.
Claire Curtis, the play's director, clearly knows what works and what does not.
We see the effect on a man (Dave Robbins) who happens upon the scene and hear from him about his emotional state as a result of discovering the horrific accident.
The nurse (Lauren Skedge), who is taxed with looking after the shell shocked Judy, also gives us her thoughts on the proceedings.
An effective dramatic device is used when the conversation about who should drive is revisited several times. Again and again we see the moment when the keys are handed over, and the dramatic message that life can change forever in an instant is re-enforced.
The play ends as it began, as it returns to the light hearted revelry of a night out in Essex. We hear from Judy who expresses regret and suggests that she has learned her lesson. She vows to never drink drive again. The play ends with a chilling reminder on the screen that she went on to do exactly that, and killed a 21 year old woman in the process, on the same stretch of road as her sister.
I was delighted to see a Year 10 GCSE class in attendance, and I believe, that as well as being a fine piece of drama, this play will act as powerful deterrent to drink driving.
Joshua Sweeting and Daniel Stephens in particular, deserve a mention for their versatility, switching from narrators, to Essex boys chatting up the ladies, to earnest police officers. The supporting cast were also excellent, and helped this performance to succeed on numerous levels.
Review: James Harrington
The play is only one hour long with no interval, so it is really action packed, with lots going on. Two narrators provide context for the play, while others add headlines from the era, such as the introduction of pound coins, which reminded me of Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire' which was ironic as a tribute act was playing downstairs.
The themes of grief and guilt are quickly introduced as there is no ambiguity about what is going to happen. There are no surprises here, with the exception of some great comedic rhymes from the actors, as they portray a night out, searching for booze fuelled fun with the opposite sex.
At one point the supporting cast seemed to form a Greek chorus commenting on the events as they unfolded. The casual nature of drink driving is expressed through the characters' conversation, who make it seem like a regular, socially acceptable occurrence.
The play switches from the comic to the tragic in an instant, when we hear the mother of the two girls (played brilliantly by Megan Fane and Jessica McAllister) talk about her deceased daughter. We hear the contrast between the two girls: Jo being the more sensible of the sisters.
The crash is depicted with an excellent piece of performance art, using harsh red lighting and the supporting cast dancing with black poles.
Claire Curtis, the play's director, clearly knows what works and what does not.
We see the effect on a man (Dave Robbins) who happens upon the scene and hear from him about his emotional state as a result of discovering the horrific accident.
The nurse (Lauren Skedge), who is taxed with looking after the shell shocked Judy, also gives us her thoughts on the proceedings.
An effective dramatic device is used when the conversation about who should drive is revisited several times. Again and again we see the moment when the keys are handed over, and the dramatic message that life can change forever in an instant is re-enforced.
The play ends as it began, as it returns to the light hearted revelry of a night out in Essex. We hear from Judy who expresses regret and suggests that she has learned her lesson. She vows to never drink drive again. The play ends with a chilling reminder on the screen that she went on to do exactly that, and killed a 21 year old woman in the process, on the same stretch of road as her sister.
I was delighted to see a Year 10 GCSE class in attendance, and I believe, that as well as being a fine piece of drama, this play will act as powerful deterrent to drink driving.
Joshua Sweeting and Daniel Stephens in particular, deserve a mention for their versatility, switching from narrators, to Essex boys chatting up the ladies, to earnest police officers. The supporting cast were also excellent, and helped this performance to succeed on numerous levels.
Review: James Harrington
Below: the cast in rehearsal
£12.00
£11.00 Concessions
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
£11.00 Concessions
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.