Saints Present... a fantastic evening of brand new short plays!
Saints Present... 9 new short plays. Written and produced by The Saints Dramatic Society, at Allesley Village Hall, 118 Birmingham Road, Coventry CV5 9GX, running from 13 - 17 October.
Review by Ann Evans
The Saints Dramatic Society based in Allesley Village have certainly proved what a talented group they are. Last night - 13 October, saw the opening night of their latest production – Saints Present… This is a collection of nine brand new short plays, written, directed, produced and acted by their group. The production runs until 17 October.
The idea of putting on an evening of original short plays was the brainchild of Katie McGee, who had previously written two plays for the group, Nursery Town Murders and Tales from the Cursed House. She convinced the rest of the group including its committee and chairman Mark Smithers that the project would give other members an opportunity to see what they could come up with, as well as trying out new skills, from playwriting to directing and acting.
Chairman, Mark Smithers had this to say: “Well done to Katie McGee who had an idea, then worked hard to make that idea a reality – organising writers’ groups, coaching, editing, cajoling, auditions, rehearsing and pulling it all together to bring us this week’s production. As if that’s not enough for her, she’s also written and will direct our February family friendly production Scallywags and Scoundrels, a pirate adventure.”
The result of Katie's vision was a brilliant evening’s entertainment of nine short plays, every single one of them giving us something different with themes ranging from comedy and pathos to horror and suspense.
Saints present… was hosted by Chris Smith. Here's a brief overview of these excellent plays:
A Helping Hand written by Andrea Daly-Dickson; Directing team: Andrea Daly-Dickson, Katie McGee. The action takes place in Margaret’s sitting room, but outside there’s some commotion as a cyclist is knocked off his bike. Margaret brings him indoors – but does she have an ulterior motive? Excellent acting by Lindsay Stringer-Pring (Margaret) and Paul Bovey (cyclist) – in fact you really feel for the poor cyclist. Great twist when the neighbour calls round (Katie Western), Radio voice Geoff Manns.
Plus Ca Change written by Geoff Manns, Directing team: Geoff Manns, Mark Smithers. The BBC are doing an outside broadcast down on the farm. The colonel (Geoff Manns) has written the script for his village yokels to perform – luckily, they have other ideas. This was hilarious – not least by all the very clever, well timed sound effects. A large cast in this play, featuring alongside Geoff was: Katy Lynam, Ebonie Paige, Jason Riley, Jonathan Wells, Jamie Peake and Paul Bovey.
Life Hacks written by Paul Bovey, Directing team: Paul Bovey, Peter Dally-Dickson. This was bang up to date with Jenny (Jo Locke-Wheaton) and Gina (Ava Tasker) as two You-Tubers, filming their everyday tips for cleaning stubborn stains. This is a cleverly written play which becomes evident as the twist in the tale reveals itself – with the arrival of Joe (Jason Riley). No spoilers!
Like Chalk and Cheese written by Jamie Peake and Reece Edington, Directing team: Mark Smithers, Paul Bovey. The writers also take on the characters Adam and Greg – think Men Behaving Badly! This pair are sharing a flat and life is far from idyllic, but at least they have the TV – when it works. TV voice by Maisie Jayne-Keegan. And I must say there's some entertaining moves by this pair.
Static written by Olly Brassington, Directing team: Olly Brassington, Mark Smithers, Lindsay Stringer-Pring. A very clever script with a chilling dark theme that creeps up on you as you watch. Very suspenseful! Special effects are excellent.
Do You Remember… written by Karen McGee, Directing team: Katie McGee. This is a touching emotional play where widow Monica (Lindsay Stringer-Pring) is living in the past with just her memories and photographs to keep her company, or so her daughter Carol (Jo Locke-Wheaton) thinks. Very gentle with a touching twist at the end.
Watchers written by Katy Lynam, directing team: Katy Lynam, Andrea Daly-Dickson. Set in a graveyard but with a unique storyline involving a myth that teenagers Edith (Cara Locke-Wheaton) and Hannah (Ava Tasker) are investigating. The one person they don’t want arriving on the scene is Call Me Harry (Paul Bovey). The two girls however, have much to settle between them, and there’s some powerful acting going on between these two young actors.
A Complex Finish written by Jonathan Wells and Jen Adama, Directing team Jen Adama. Set in Steve’s flat (Jonathan Wells), he brings his date, Martha (Andrea Daly-Dickson) back for a glass of wine. But are their intentions as clear cut as they say? Well acted and a nice twist in the tale.
Swipe written by Katie McGee, Directing team: Katie McGee, Lindsay Stringer-Pring. Louise (Katie McGee) is trying her hand at on-line dating, encouraged by her friend Chloe (Barbara Marinakis). This is a cleverly produced play with Jason Riley taking the part of all the many different characters that Louise either swipes left or swipes right to. An enjoyable conclusion to a full evening’s entertainment.
Hats off also to all the backstage crew, who in the main were also on stage as well as backstage. A great all round effort which was shown by the applause and cheers at the end of the show.
As always there was tea and biscuits, and the raffle. The proceeds will be going to EGO Arts Coventry, supporting actors and artists of all abilities.
Saints Present... runs until 17 October, tickets are £8 available from: saintsdramacoventry.org Box office 07579 095617.
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