Broadstone Players 
War Memorial Hall, Broadstone 
Jill Richmond 
6 September 2024
Broadstone’s Plays ‘N’ Chips night is a chance for new actors and directors to get involved in the wonderful world of drama whilst the audience get to enjoy an interval of boxed Harlees fish and chips (or sausage or nuggets!) or Tea and Cake if you are attending an afternoon performance and a second interval with a raffle and ice creams, as was the case on opening night, served by the Poole Soroptimists. The format works perfectly, showcasing established and new talent through a series of three one Act plays and provides an enjoyable evening. Broadstone Players and their supporters are a very welcoming community.
The first play, a one-act dark comedy, Death of a Gerbil by Dewan Demmer is a fantastic start to the evening. Sue Gibson as Scottish St Petra is a strong comedy opener, confidently delivering her lines and allowing the audience to relax and launch straight into proceedings with many laugh-out-loud moments as there appears to be a clerical error at the pearly gates for Darren Gerbil, played solidly with good sensitivity by the somewhat bemused Chris Hugill. Debbie Southern is new to the stage and performs Jade, the Clairvoyant, showing no first-time nerves. Kurt McLeod makes his directorial debut as well as appearing as the unlikeable guardian angel Rodney. The play is somewhat clunky in its writing in places but is directed well and leads with good energy into the interval.
The second one act comedy, Room to Let, is written and directed by Malcolm L. Miller and opens with a conversation between Tony (Chris Kemp) and Keith (Kerri Widley) as the two existing tenants of a flat owned by the flamboyant Landlady Marilyn/Mrs Robinson (Sue Gibson). A vacancy has arisen for the remaining twin bedroom and with two applicants for the position, Alexandria (Val Smith) and Reg (Chris Hugill) a decision needs to be made. The play is directed confidently allowing good use of all corners of the stage. Kerri Widley gives a good stage debut and all actors work well together in delivering this entertaining one act.
Following a second interval and raffle, with some rather exciting looking prizes on opening night, the third one act concludes the proceedings. Lesley James as a new director for the group directs The Mazarin Stone, adapted by Ron Nicol from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story “The Adventure of The Mazarin Stone”. This one act play suffers the pitfalls from being condensed from an already short story. The change of pace from digesting two relaxed comedies, fish and chips and a hazelnut and chocolate ice cream to this wordy and very fast delivered play required slightly too much of a gear change in concentration and perhaps would have been better to have been the opener for the night. That said, special mention must be given to Sam Kenisius for the beautiful costumes which alongside the set provides a visually transportive performance. Stella Henney as Mrs Watson performs with good stage presence and Val Smith showcases her acting flexibility by appearing for a second time in the evening as Mrs Hudson. Andrew Murton as Sherlock Holmes is believably excentric. Kerri Widley also appears for a second time as Countess Sylvina and Lady Cantlemere (Suzanne Viney) and Sam Merton (Verity Brayshaw) conclude the cast for this adaptation.
Overall this was a very enjoyable evening and I will definitely be looking out for the next Play ‘N’ chips night from this very supportive theatre company.
The Plays ‘N’ Chips production runs over two weekends at Broadstone War Memorial Hall Theatre, Tudor Road, Broadstone, BH18 8AP on 6-7 September @ 19:30 with a 14:30 Saturday matinee, and 13th-14thSeptember @ 19:30.
