|
|
|
|
Pontefract theatre tickety-boo
|
Audience Feedback "We Love You Arthur" by Fiona Evans (April 2010)
Both myself and Bridget really enjoyed the play, please pass
on our congratulations to David and the rest of the cast and
crew and very best wishes for future productions.
Fiona Evans (author of the play)
My girlfriend came down from Scotland to watch it with me once again, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the production for which we would both like to thank you for. The acting was, as usual, spot on, and it was nice to hear the music from the era and to see the film clips from the strike etc. Yes, as I have said, we both enjoyed the evening, and it was the third one we have seen and enjoyed down at the centre, so thank you again Tickety-Boo for an entertaining evening. John Cadman I really enjoyed the production, especially as it was very relevant to my own situation at the time. As I said to David at the end of the show, it actually brought tears to my eyes because of the memories it evoked. All four who took part in the play were really good and the two girls were very impressive. Once again, well done to everyone involved. Denise Miles We certainly did enjoy this and were very impressed with all four actors who carried this through. It was funny, it was sad and it brought back memories of those difficult times. Well done! I would like to receive information on future productions. This was our third. Sally Lockwood Knowing nothing about the play, We love you Arthur! written by Fiona Evans, except to say that I knew that it was written about the miners' strike in the early 80s, I found the performance had both highs and lows, with many comic moments, mainly in the first half and having a more sombre second half. The two young girls who played the lead parts were word-perfect and worked exceptionally hard to be convincing as 1980s girls. They were brilliant! The adult leads were as professional as usual and the sets and stage management flawless. I wondered what the author, who was in the audience that evening, thought about the play being set in Yorkshire instead of Newcastle, but I found it worked whatever the region. Altogether an enjoyable evening, and we are looking forward to the next one. Julia Shaw I really enjoyed the play and, as I am in a ladies group who usually do at least one theatre trip a year, I was wondering when your next production would be so that I can bring it up at our next meeting. We only meet once a month but plan well in advance. It would be nice to support someone local instead of going off to Leeds or York. Do let me know as soon as you can. Well done again. Stella Hoyle Review submitted to the Pontefract & Castleford Express below: I wonder if any of our candidate politicians took the trouble to see this play presented by the Tickety-Boo Theatre Company. Not because it is a play set during the miners’ strike, not because it explores the emotional turmoil, divided loyalties or the financial strains facing the families of striking miners, but because it featured two young ladies in their early teens, showing very clearly and publicly that the youth of today are not all rude unpleasant yobs. Katie Drayton and Bobbie Meadows took the roles of Lisa Jackson and Julie Burns, daughters of striking miners and best friends. Their portrayal of the interaction of friends plotting a way to meet Arthur Scargill, their reactions to inadvertently stumbling on the hidden behaviour of adults, and their devastation in getting caught up in the emotions of the strike was stunning, a tribute to the hard work they had put in under the direction of David Thatcher. Vince Empsall gave a strong measured performance as the father, Ray Jackson, coping with the emotional reaction of his daughter as his dark secret was exposed. The dual roles of mother, coping with the hardships and poverty the strike carried with it, and grandmother hiding a terrible secret, were superbly handled by Rachel Swain. The cinematic style of the play with its short scenes required frequent changes to the set, all of which was done smoothly to a well chosen soundtrack featuring music of the time. The whole cast presented the comedy in a gentle way which allowed the contrasting times of heartbreak to develop into powerful drama. A well designed set coupled with the smooth integration of lighting and sound made this am impressive performance of this timely reminder of the miners strike written by Fiona Evans. Congratulations are due to the director, David Thatcher and the whole cast, especially the two young ladies, on producing a powerful, enjoyable piece of drama. Bernard Atkinson |
