Review: The Livingston Players performance at Howden Park Centre

Feb 4 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

IF ever there was a tonic for these dark winter evenings, this duo of one-act plays was it.

Between Thursday, January 28 and Saturday, January 30, The Livingston Players performed ‘Womberang’ by Sue Townsend and ‘Bouncers’ by John Godber, at Howden Park Centre, Livingston, two plays which contrasted strongly, yet complemented each other perfectly.

It could only be someone with Sue Townsend’s inimitable sense of humour who could set a play in a hospital’s gynaecology department. ‘Womberang’ opens in the waiting room where a small group of patients are assembled.

Suddenly, dressed like a seventies hippie reject, in sweeps Rita (brilliantly played by Judith Hutchinson) ringing an old school bell in a bid to get the receptionist’s attention.

Rita’s best friend, Dolly (a great performance by Kate Halliday) is much quieter being a perfect foil for the flamboyant, eccentric Rita and her exceptional powers of persuasion. Rita even manages to persuade Evelyn (a fantastically funny portrayal by Sue Rankin) to take off her corset after they have all passed round the gin bottle a few times.

James has accompanied wife Audrey (very well played by David Mackie and Karen McPherson), and seems to think he can dominate her until Rita decides otherwise and incites Audrey to rebel. James almost blows a gasket but it all works out in the end. The sixth core patient, Mrs Lovett (Heather Haig was cast perfectly) has some very funny and subtle lines. Over and above the entertaining central sextet, four other characters come and go including Lynda who promptly goes into labour and is whisked off to the delivery room by Rita. Lynda consequently gives birth to a little girl whom she names Mary, Rita’s middle name. Another indication of how the slightly crazy and outspoken Rita touches peoples lives.

Ashley Townsend and Annie Townsend both do great jobs as the hospital receptionist and hospital administrator, Mrs Cornwallis, respectively.

Mrs Cornwallis, very strict and pole faced pre-gin, changes considerably after she is persuaded to join the others in a swig or two. Alex Rankine made a brief but convincing appearance as the consultant, Mr Riley, who has been keeping them waiting for so long.

The production excellently directed by Lynne Hurst, backed up by a superb production team, was a feel-good hour of laughter and joy.

In sharp contrast, yet equally entertaining, the Players brought us ‘Bouncers’.

The four Bouncers enter from the side, by the audience, and make their way to a very basic stage set, representing a nightclub.

The four Bouncers, Eric (Jeff Robinson), Les (Alistair Thomas), Ralph (Ross Bain) and Judd (John Ward) gave an incredibly slick and polished performance.

The roles are challenging and constantly changing as the four slip in and out of a variety of personas including, as well as the central Bouncer characters, four girls on a fun night out (hence the handbags) and four men on a stag night.

The dialogue is sometimes in verse and sometimes not and the hour long play, centring around urban nightlife, is a mixture of absolute hilarity and underlying less happy, personal issues in the lives of the Bouncers. In particular Eric, who in the course of the play is left by his wife who takes their children with her.

John Hutchinson had his work cut out directing this one but, as ever, pulled it off superbly.

The Livingston Players can next be seen performing ‘A Chorus of Disapproval’ by Alan Ayckbourn, at Howden Park Centre from Wednesday, May 26 to Saturday, May 29.