Three Alan Bennett monologues, superbly performed at the Grove Theatre, Eastbourne.
The first monologue, ‘Bed among the lentils’ was performed by Claire Bolt who made a very convincing vicar’s wife, not quite certain about God - after all, you don’t expect a Barrister’s wife to always be in court - and at daggers drawn with the flower arranging members of her husband’s ‘fan club’. It was impeccably performed, building up the very witty dialogue into some laugh out loud moments. But the monologue twists into unhappiness, and Ms Bolt handled this transition perfectly, making it both surprising and inevitable, which is a considerable feat to achieve.
The second monologue, ‘A chip in the sugar’ was performed by Camber Sands as an Alan Bennett look and sound alike. He played a middle aged man with mental health issues still living at home with his mother. She meets an old flame and rekindles a romance; he feels pushed aside. This was a witty and affectionate look at a life lived on the sidelines. Mr Sands handed all aspects of the performance well.
After the interval, the final monologue was ‘Her big chance’ in which Holly Mason played Lesley, a bit part actress who is cast in what seems to be a rather dodgy film. The acting life is nothing like as glamorous as when she was in a Roman Polanski film but she soldiers on with courage and not a little pretentiousness. It requires skill to portray bad acting well, but Ms Mason managed it brilliantly.
Mention should be made of the sound interludes (performed, with the lighting, by Director Mark Jefferis) which were more than just fillers and wittily enhanced the performances.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening, well appreciated by the audience.
The first monologue, ‘Bed among the lentils’ was performed by Claire Bolt who made a very convincing vicar’s wife, not quite certain about God - after all, you don’t expect a Barrister’s wife to always be in court - and at daggers drawn with the flower arranging members of her husband’s ‘fan club’. It was impeccably performed, building up the very witty dialogue into some laugh out loud moments. But the monologue twists into unhappiness, and Ms Bolt handled this transition perfectly, making it both surprising and inevitable, which is a considerable feat to achieve.
The second monologue, ‘A chip in the sugar’ was performed by Camber Sands as an Alan Bennett look and sound alike. He played a middle aged man with mental health issues still living at home with his mother. She meets an old flame and rekindles a romance; he feels pushed aside. This was a witty and affectionate look at a life lived on the sidelines. Mr Sands handed all aspects of the performance well.
After the interval, the final monologue was ‘Her big chance’ in which Holly Mason played Lesley, a bit part actress who is cast in what seems to be a rather dodgy film. The acting life is nothing like as glamorous as when she was in a Roman Polanski film but she soldiers on with courage and not a little pretentiousness. It requires skill to portray bad acting well, but Ms Mason managed it brilliantly.
Mention should be made of the sound interludes (performed, with the lighting, by Director Mark Jefferis) which were more than just fillers and wittily enhanced the performances.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening, well appreciated by the audience.
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