Redlynch Players 
Redlynch Village Hall, Lover, Nr Salisbury 
Philip & Julie McStraw 
16 May 2025
Did you know ‘deckchairs’ were invented in the 1860s for use on transatlantic ocean liners by passengers wishing to sit out on the boards to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine? Since those heady days, a deckchair has become a humble fixture at British seaside resorts and a symbol of British summer holidays, perhaps evoking a sense of nostalgia for halcyon days and a gentler way of life. This is undoubtedly the theme Jean McConnell had in mind when she wrote 16 one act playlets under the shared title of Deckchairs. They each feature caricatures of two different women in conversation and, (no guessing required), are set on a seaside promenade. As can be imagined, these vignettes open windows into everyday lives, but there’s nothing subtle about their subject matter – the stories told are, by turns, funny and poignant, and all with a delicious twist!
This is the sort of theatre that the ever-good Redlynch Players excel in producing and they have chosen well from the repertoire – a selection of five 15-minute episodes, where we meet an assortment of extremely colourful and exaggerated characters, with interesting tales to tell.
First up was the very funny Shoppers with pretentious Rosemary and Angela, who enter the stage heavily laden with numerous designer label shopping bags. They proceed to compare the spoils from their respective ‘shopping’ adventures, both trying their best to outdo each other with the volume of their false middle-class accents and whinnying laughter. A scattering of clues reveals by the end of the encounter that the means by which they came by their acquisitions may not be entirely legitimate!
Next was Early Blight, a sad and moving account featuring Helen – a demanding and never satisfied elderly Mother – and June, her put upon middle aged single daughter and carer. June presents Helen with a batch of unopened letters from 25 years ago that she has just discovered in a broken vase. The letters are from June’s then boyfriend and were offering her a new life in Australia. Helen had hidden the letters from June – of course, not out of bitter self-interest, but for June’s own good!
Third in line was light hearted Theatrical Digs starring Pascaline and Maggie, two mature struggling actors seeking their next big break – who end up vying, via mobile telephone calls with their respective Agents, for the lead role in a new film about Mother Theresa. The part has actually already been given to a young up and coming starlet of appropriate physical proportions. And no ‘Pascaline’ is not a stage name – it’s her given name!
Fourth was the more serious Remember Me, where former student flat mates Sarah and Elizabeth unexpectedly meet again at the wedding reception of a joint acquaintance. It transpires that party girl Elizabeth has a habit of breaking up other people’s relationships, including that of Sarah and her boyfriend back when they were students together. Sarah has never forgotten this, nor forgiven Elizabeth.
Fifth and lastly, was the hilarious Cupboard Love with Jane and Peggy, who are both getting into shape by way of new fitness regimes – required to counter the effects of gastronomic overindulgence. They are single older ladies, and both have been lavishing their culinary skills on gentleman friends, with the prospect of marriages in sight. During the course of their conversation, we hear that Jane sees her gentleman friend on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and alternate Sundays; and Peggy sees her gentleman friend on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and alternate Sundays. Could that be more than a coincidence?
The ten characters are played by only Sarah Newman, Gina Hodsman and Ali Silver – a quite remarkable achievement. All three of them turned in skillful nuanced performances, as they moved from one character to another, with full costume changes, in quick succession. They gave the impression of accomplishing this with effortless ease, though the reality must have been the complete opposite. They engaged with the audience from the first to the last scenes and drew spontaneous laughter with a succession of comedic lines, together with emotional responses from the serious and harder hitting elements. In a word, they were brilliant!
Apart from the fine quality of acting, Redlynch Village Hall was also aptly dressed for the occasion with colourful bunting over the approach to the front door, and seaside posters and beach trappings in the entrance area; the only thing missing was the sand! The actual stage was a simple affair and, understandably, wooden benches replaced impractical deckchairs, yet it all worked well. The Director, Lloyd Perry, and the whole production team can chalk up another success!
Deckchairs has now completed its sold out run with Redlynch Players, but their next production of Tea With Jane is scheduled for 21 – 22 June 2025, and we would suggest tickets are obtained sooner rather than later, as another sell out is likely!
