KADS serve up humorous mixed summer bag

All By Myself. Abbie Croker, Gaynor van Dijk and Pete Deeley. Photo by Tim Greenway.

A Right Pig’s Ear and All By Myself. Kineton Amateur Dramatic Society (KADS) Summer Entertainment, July 2025.

Review by Charles Essex.

Kineton Amateur Dramatic Society’s (KADS) annual Summer Entertainment evening followed the successful format of two humorous one act plays. A Right Pig’s Ear was a brilliant piece, written and directed by Morven Bruggenwirth. Hatton Toys thought their Wiggly Piggly soft toy was a surefire winner for Christmas, until they found that someone had written a rude slogan on its tummy under its vest.

The story was repeatedly discussed on daytime television by oleaginous all-smiles presenters Simon Bates (Dave Candy) and Joanna Cummings (Laura Worrall). Dave and Joanne were superb as the superficially friendly talent with a clever running subplot of professional and personal jealousy. Back in the boardroom, bombastic northerner George Hatton (Dave again), owner of the company, was berating his employees and pushing the publicist, played with increasing angst by Kyle Lawson, to rescue the situation and put a positive spin on this potential manufacturing disaster.

A Right Pig's Ear. Kyle Lawson. Photo by Tim Greenway.

The press conferences were cleverly depicted with Kyle digging himself deeper into holes with numerous faux pas and starting a diplomatic incident with France, whilst being grilled by journalists (Abbie Croker and Laura). Inevitably George thought he could do a better job but managed to make the situation worse. The perky music between the numerous short scenes perfectly moved the plot along apace.

Using only four actors, who portrayed their characters adeptly, Morven skilfully took a comical look at the snowballing effect of a PR disaster for a company.

All By Myself. Gaynor van Dijk, Lauren Worrell, Tom Bruggenwirth and Abbie Croker. Photo by Tim Greenway.

All By Myself was set on a desert island. We find Tom Bruggenwirth surrounded by flotsam and jetsam, where he had been since being shipwrecked seven years earlier. He thought he was alone, being slowly driven mad by the isolation – until other castaways emerge one by one. They had an alliteration nickname for him, such as Lonely Larry, and other solitary castaways such as Isolated Isaiah, although he had not approached them through choice but simply because he was unaware of their presence.

However, his new-found companions turned out to be a curse rather than a blessing as each had their irritating foibles. Abbie Crocker, Pete Deeley and Gaynor van Dijk added to his exasperation as they bickered about escaping or not on a raft. The committee meeting, with minutes and voting raised a smile. Tom, who had stepped into the role at very short notice, was word perfect, as was Lauren Worrell, who was very accomplished in her role with a jolly hockey sticks persona.

These two one-act plays meant that KADS loyal supporters had an enjoyable evening and again left with smiles on their faces.

Entry for 12 July by ticket only: https://kineton-amateur-dramatic-society.square.site