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Life Goes On by ADRIAN HODGES Produced by JACKIE DAWSON Performed in October 2001 |
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Life Goes On is a thoughtful and engaging comedy which opens in the hours following the funeral of George Marlowe who left this life unexpectedly. The caterers have mixed up the wake with a child's fifth birthday tea and matters go downhill with the green jelly. George younger brother, Michael, a would-be writer hoping to interest a Hollywood star in his latest film script, attempts to seduce Debbie, sister of his partner Helen and of George's widow, Joyce. During the evening Michael leaps from one sisterly assignation to another until the arrival of George's ghost, back from the pearly gates to tie up the loose ends of his life. Dennis Barkwill from Gosforth saw the Wednesday performance and sent in the following review: It is perhaps a little unusual for an audience to be addressed by the Deceased following his own funeral, but that is the opening sequence of Adrian Hodges' play, 'Life Goes On', which introduced the Valley Players' season. There were some fine moments of gentle humour, and the excellent cast made the most of them, but this was more than a work of comedy. George Marlowe uses his temporary leave of absence from the afterlife to ensure that his immediate family, in the aftermath of his untimely demise, find a new sense of purpose and resolve to do better in the future. This is particularly true for his brother, Michael, who comes to see, with George's help, that his philandering lifestyle is disruptive to all concerned. This play made a very promising start for Jackie Dawson's producer debut, and moved along at a good pace. The cast of five had a wide range of emotions to portray, from tender passion to heated argument, and managed to do so with considerable success. Therefore it would be unfair to single out any cast member, except to say that Steven Thompson was tailor-made for George's role. A well-acted performance from all concerned. Well done everyone.
Stage Manager RALPH MAUGHAN ▪ Sound CRAIG BLACK Set Design RALPH MAUGHAN and EDDIE MILLER Lighting Design IAN WOODLEY ▪ Lighting Operator ED CRUTCHLEY Prompt NICKY WILKES ▪ House Manager DAVE HINDMARSH Properties MARIAN ROBERTS
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