FOLLOW US

EMAIL US   claygatedramaticsociety@gmailcom

PAST PRODUCTIONS - BEFORE 2016
SEE RECENT PRODUCTIONS - 2016 TO PRESENT DAY

APRIL 2016: WHO KILLED THE VICAR?

Directed by Belita Charrington

REVIEW BY STEVE MACKRELL: “Who Killed the Vicar” by Chris Martin, was not so much a play in the traditional sense but more of an inter-active game played out between the audience and the cast. The format of the evening was well constructed - the first act introduced each of the murder suspects, followed by a 30-minute interval (with fish and chips) during which each table considered who “dunnit”. The second act introduced the two investigators and before they revealed all, there was a 10-minute interval for the audience to finalise their solutions, before a winning table was announced. 

Director Belita Charrington played it exactly right - the style was of an old-fashioned melodrama full of larger than life characters. I liked the opening 15 minutes in which each character directly addresses the audience and then assumed a fixed pose, gazing out at the audience. There were also some good performances, with several many CDS stalwarts on stage: Juliet Bagnall, as narrator; murder victim, Brian Hulme; Liz Ness as the housekeeper; Jilly Moss as a formidable matriarch; Ian Royce as the church organist; and Greg Moreton as the local scoutmaster. Alexander Anderson made an excellently funny curate - and congratulations to the youngest performer, Rowan Moreton, as a passing rambler. As for the sleuths, Robert Edenborough was in fine form again as a dim-witted detective-inspector. But the strongest performance was from Vicky Mastrocola as the Bishop’s envoy. She turned in a robust performance.

The set was excellent - congratulations to Ray Moss for his design and his set-building team. And Maggie Wrightson again excelled with wardrobe. The few misgivings I had were greatly outweighed by an enthusiastic and, it seemed to me, happy audience. 

NOVEMBER 2015: THE SNOW QUEEN

Directed by Dawn Lacey

REVIEW BY STEVE MACKRELL (edited): This festive production was not a pantomime in the traditional Christmas sense, but a musical story based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy story with no opportunities to shout “oh no he isn’t” and “behind you”, which would have seemed rather strange so early in November. However, there were many opportunities to boo the baddy - in this case the evil Snow Queen - and this was done with due gusto by adults and children alike on the Saturday evening performance.

Ellen Fermie gave a convincing portrayal of the Snow Queen, combining glamour with evil in her put-downs of her rival, the good Spirit of Spring, played by Vicky Mastrocola. Vicky gave a mature and nicely judged performance as the “good fairy”. Michelle Hood had a double role combining a kindly Grandmother figure with a highly contrasting evil Robber Woman, both roles involving musical numbers. The parts of Gerda and Kay required three actors each to reflect the passing of time: the youngest Gerda and Kay were played by Charlotte Lootens and Emily Kinnear, who delivered their lines with great strength and sang their songs with confidence. The middle children were played by Antonia Reynolds and Rowan Moreton who had the difficult task of acting out the “change” in Kay’s behaviour. The adult Gerda was played at very short notice by Emma McGuiness who stood in for the original actress who was taken ill. Although Emma had to use the book, this was not particularly apparent and congratulations must go to her for taking on the part. 

The costumes were colourful and stunning throughout the show and managed by Maggie Wrightson with help from Ann Baulch and Gill Robinson. The costumes came into their own during Gerda’s journey to find Kay, where she met fascinating characters, including Gill Robinson’s Kingfisher, Sarah Greenland’s Hummingbird and the butterflies of Liz Ness and Juliet Bagnall. Another amusing cameo was provided by a pair of crows played by Greg Moreton and Belita Charrington. Bobbie Watson was “The Lapp Woman”and Harriet Crossingham the Robber Girl, both in fine voice and, Mikey Helen, was hard-working and enthusiastic as ever in his double role of the Hobgoblin and The Prince. Add some solid chorus work from the ensemble and from the young dancers in their two musical numbers and it was good enough for me! 

Director Dawn Lacey expertly marshalled a huge cast of 19 principals, eight adult ensemble, 12 dancers and at least 20 crew and backstage helpers. Her direction was brisk, setting a good pace throughout with hardly a dull moment. Dawn also made an unexpected appearance on stage, due to cast illness, as The Princess! Musical Director, Simon Douglas Lane, and percussionist Tim Shaw, kept proceedings moving along at just the right tempo. 

JULY 2015: STAGE BEFORE SCREEN MUSICAL NIGHT

Classic British Comedy Sketch Night


APRIL 2015: TEN TIMES TABLE

An Alan Ayckbourn play directed by Liz Ness

REVIEW BY JUDITH WEST (edited): The audience laughed so much that at times I expected to see tears! This was a play about what happens when a team falls apart. Every member of the cast played an important role –even if they had no lines – Michael Helen and Greg Moreton were perfectly cast, and delivered their roles with perfect timing and confidence. I have seen productions that were let down by the minor characters- this play was strengthened by them. Donald, the boring councilor, was very well played by Robert Edenborough; some characters, such as Ray played by Brian Hulme, elicit comedy by remaining the same and he delivered the part in an appropriately pompous manner. Similarly, John Taylor, as Tim, delivered a strong performance of a rigid military character – with comic results and a well deserved round of applause on exit. We all also enjoyed John Bellamy’s portrayal of the sometimes drunk and sleeping Lawrence, and Juliet Bagnall as Helen, whose upper middle class, bossy character remains the same throughout the play.

Jilly Moss as the whispering Philippa gave a suitably entertaining performance and Belita Charrington gave a performance that showed depth as Sophie moved from quiet obedient sister to adoring girlfriend of Eric (who already had a girlfriend) and beyond. I was surprised to read that Richard Barrett, playing Eric, had only recently returned to acting, as he gave a strong and convincing performance. But the character who stole the show was Bobbie Watson as Audrey. She showed excellent comedy timing throughout; she was perfectly cast and never faltered in her performance.

NOVEMBER 2014: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

The classic pantomime

JULY 2014: FIRST WORLD WAR COMMEMORATIVE MUSIC HALL

MAY 2014: ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

Directed by Tony and Sue Wall

REVIEW BY STEVE MACKRELL (edited): Directors Tony and Sue Wall managed to put some broad smiles on the faces of a near capacity audience with their revival of this 1939 classic black comedy. The key male role was played by Jon Constant (Mortimer Brewster) who is at the centre of most of the farcical situations and he displayed excellent comic timing throughout. The two “poisonous sisters” were played with great eccentricity and charm by Juliet Bagnall and Liz Ness and, despite their murderous intentions, were somehow very believable as the sweet, timid and very innocent sisters. Susanne Tunnicliffe, as Mortimer Brewster’s love interest Elaine, brought great zest to the role.

Richard Williams gave a measured performance as the sinister brother Jonathan. Steve Infield, as the third brother Teddy, showed his usual energy in his eccentric portrayal of the dotty brother. And Robert Edenborough played the mysterious Dr Einstein. I also enjoyed John Bellamy’s Reverend Harper, and Barry Rocard’s Mr Witherspoon, who provided the last laugh of the evening as the latest victim about to be poisoned by the two sisters. Also an accolade must go to Michael Robinson who had a cameo role as Mr Gibb, the unsuspecting tenant seeking a room under the roof of the poisonous sisters – a very funny scene played with relish.

Of the police characters, Michael Helen and Nick Stock were effective “stooges” while James Edenborough’s Office O’Hara was played with great enthusiasm. However, Barney Donaghy struck the best New York, or rather Brooklyn, accent of any of the cast. And the production was enhanced by a remarkably good set, designed by Ray Moss. Costumes, by Maggie Wrightson, also deserve great credit. It was an excellent show. 

OCTOBER 2013: STEEL MAGNOLIAS

APRIL 2013: CALENDAR GIRLS

JANUARY 2013: WIND IN THE WILLOWS

REVIEW: This was a first for CDS. in the sense that it was a junior production with a small adult chorus of rabbits who quietly set the stage for each scene, a lovely touch. The cast ranged in age from 10-15 years old. From the moment the curtains opened we were presented with a stunningly simple, but colourful set, with trees, riverbank, bull rushes and a series of beautifully effective back projections, skillfully transporting us through the changing seasons along the tranquil riverbank. Large three dimensional props had been constructed carefully but incredibly realistically, along with special effects of falling snow and atmospheric smoke,  these enhanced each scene to great effect. The songs, music and dances were tuneful, eye catching and toe tapping. Some lovely routines were choreographed involving the stoats and weasels. Many solo songs were sung beautifully and with great confidence. The young cast portrayed their characters well, with some exceptional performances from several members, many of whom had not performed on a large stage before in a major role. Congratulations to all those involved in what was a very enjoyable show.

OCTOBER 2012: WHEN WE ARE MARRIED

APRIL 2012: THE TEMPEST

JANUARY 2012: ALADDIN

OCTOBER 2011: DON'T LOOK NOW

MAY 2011: TWO ONE ACT PLAYS

Slim Chance and Face The Music

 JANUARY 2011: DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

OCTOBER 2010: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

APRIL 2010: LET'S PRETEND

JANUARY 2010: PETER PAN

OCTOBER 2009: THREE PLAYS

'Ladies Day - Women in Crime', 'Debt to Society' and 'The Allotment'

MAY 2009: BRONTE

At the Leatherhead Festival

MAY 2009: THE ALLOTMENT

At the Elmbridge Festival

APRIL 2009: THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY  

JANUARY 2009: ROBIN HOOD AND BABES IN THE WOOD

OCTOBER 2008: OH, WHAT A LOVELY WAR

MAY 2008: NOW AND THEN

An evening of one-act plays, as part of the Elmbridge Cultural Festival

APRIL 2008: THE WEEKEND

JANUARY 2008: SLEEPING BEAUTY

OCTOBER 2007: HAY FEVER

MAY 2007: GREEN FORMS and INDIAN SUMMER

As part of the Leatherhead Festival

APRIL 2007: BRASSED OFF

MARCH 2007: WAITING TO BAT and INDIAN SUMMER

As part of the Elmbridge Festival

JANUARY 2007: DICK WHITTINGTON

OCTOBER 2006: COMEDY 2-NITE  

 Black Comedy and Last Panto in Claygate

MAY 2006: AFTER MRS ROCHESTER

As part of the Leatherhead Festival

APRIL 2006: 'ALLO 'ALLO

JANUARY 2006: ALICE IN WONDERLAND AND THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

OCTOBER 2005: WE HAPPY FEW

APRIL 2005: TOMB WITH A VIEW

JANUARY 2005: CINDERELLA

OCTOBER 2004: BEHIND THE SCENES

MAY 2004: SHAKER RE-STIRRED

 As part of the Leatherhead Festival

APRIL 2004: SAILOR BEWARE

JANUARY 2004: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

OCTOBER 2003: UNDER MILK WOOD

APRIL 2003: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

JANUARY 2003: SINBAD THE SAILOR

APRIL 2002: THREE OF A KIND

JANUARY 2002: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

OCTOBER 2001: THE CHALK GARDEN

JULY 2001: A NIGHT WITH JACS 

Junior Members

MAY 2001: DANCING AT LUGHNASA

JANUARY 2001: FRANKENSTEIN THE PANTO

OCTOBER 2000: DAISY PULLS IT OFF

JUNE 2000: WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Open air

APRIL 2000: FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Two plays: Equal Terms and Gosforth Fete

JANUARY 2000: THE WIZARD OF OZ
MOST RECENT PRODUCTIONS
THE FULL LIST

EVERY PLAY SINCE 1938
BACK TO TOP OF PAGE