Funpowder Plot at British Legion
written by Isaac Baggaley
Ok, I’ll admit it, I don’t take an active interest in local theatre. But The Bootleg Theatre’s performance on Friday night leaves me questioning why not. Performing four short dialogues in an upper room of The British Legion, the Salisbury quartet entertained a nearly full audience, competing well with an enticing bridge tournament just one floor below, as well as battling with fireworks the evening through.
With the words ‘4 relationship comedies’ on the bill it was a fairly safe bet there would be some gender politics during the evening, but these were mostly out of the way two thirds through Lisa Parry’s Fairy Steps, which although a light and humorous opening to the night, was for me hampered somewhat by feminist overtones.
One of the more endearing things about the performance however, was the creative use of minimal props and scenery. Whilst the homely aesthetic of the British Legion lent itself kindly to the two pub set plays, A bright red light and two chairs set Rosie Finnegan’s surreal political dialogue, Back to Back, neatly in a ‘Con-Dem’ torture chamber. The piece provided a comedic reflection of the coalition government through the eyes of two neighbours sentenced to death, and was at its strongest when focusing on squirrels and facile chat rather than party politics.
Tommy Kearney’s ‘A Bad Day’ was a well written and well acted insight into two extremely different days and led neatly and into the highlight of the event, Stewart Taylor and Kerry Stockwell’s brilliant performance of Rodger Goldsmith’s ‘Material Things’. The play offered a window into the awkward meeting of two ex lovers in a furniture showroom, and whilst somewhat less comedic than the other three plays, created a beautifully uncomfortable insight into the lives of the characters and featured the most refreshingly honest sofa based monologue I think I’ve ever heard.
Second only perhaps to buying seven issues of The Salisbury Journal, I think Colin Burden and The Bootleg Theatre Company have succeeded in creating the most entertaining way to spend five pounds in Salisbury.
_______________________________
SNAPSHOTS
Pub theatre is back in Frome, this time with a production by the Salisbury-based Bootleg Theatre Company.
A near full-capacity audience escaped the evening's wet and windy weather to enjoy the intimate surroundings that makes Upstairs at The Lamb such a great venue.
Candlelit and cozy, it was the ideal place to watch Snapshots' four relationship-themed comedy plays, all by new writers.
In Fairy Steps, written by Lisa Parry, colleagues Charlotte and Rob (Sara Taylor and Joe Bossano) are out for a drink. Except this time, it's no ordinary after-work event; it's a first date.
Divorcee and single mum Charlotte sums her feelings up admirably with, "It just feels strange". Parry's play produces some great comic one-liners, which were clearly appreciated by the audience.
Moving from pub to prison, local writer Rosie Finnegan's play Back To Back is a clever political satire starring neighbours June and Matt (Kerry Stockwell and Stewart Taylor).
The pair are awaiting execution for the crime of failing to report having seen a grey squirrel in Matt's garden.
Back To Back was one of the winners of this year's Port Eliot Literary Festival, Miracle Theatre competition and it's easy to see why.
This comic vision of life under a coalition government gives rise to such gems as an overcrowded Cornwall, the closure of Wales to save water, a five-day weekend and, of course, the introduction of some absurd laws.
One man's good fortune is another's bad luck. For Malcolm (Joe Bassano) in A Bad Day, things start to go wrong when he loses his job and is mugged in the street.
Liverpool-based writer Tommy Kierney's tale includes plenty of sharp dialogue and a heartwarming conclusion.
In the evening's final play, Material Things by Roger Goldsmith, strong acting by Steward Taylor and Kerry Stockwell helped to bring to life this tale of two sofas when former lovers Matt and Diane bump into each in a furniture shop.
Snapshots is a production that has lots going for it.
Credit must go to director Colin Burden and the actors of Bootleg for bringing such an enjoyable and entertaining evening to Frome. Also to Nevertheless Productions, who once again have shown that you don't need to spend mega-bucks to see decent theatre.
Never has 45 minutes seemed to fly by quite so quickly.
Sue Watts
_____________________________________
Five Go Killing, Bootleg Theatre Company, Lighthouse Studio,Poole
By Lyn Richell »
THIS one-hour monologue was presented by the Bootleg Theatre Company as part of the Poole Literary Festival. It was written by John Foster who is subject leader of the screenwriting programmes of the Media School of Bournemouth University.
Director Colin Burden did well with only one actor with well-timed moves and got the most from the pauses and change of direction.
This was not an easy piece and credit most go to Clare McCall for being word perfect and telling the story of how she and four friends went on a killing spree in Bournemouth – eradicating elderly people.
Her description of the OAPs they killed was spine-chilling.
The only difficulty for me was the fact that for most of the time, Clare’s face was in shadow which was a great pity, as when she was sat on the floor and could be seen clearly, her facial expressions were superb.
I’m glad to say she was not fazed by someone in the audience who did not have the courtesy to turn off their mobile phone – she did not even blink or change pace – well done to her.
Also all credit to her that at the end of the piece I looked at my watch expecting to see 30 minutes had passed when in fact almost an hour had gone by.
written by Isaac Baggaley
Ok, I’ll admit it, I don’t take an active interest in local theatre. But The Bootleg Theatre’s performance on Friday night leaves me questioning why not. Performing four short dialogues in an upper room of The British Legion, the Salisbury quartet entertained a nearly full audience, competing well with an enticing bridge tournament just one floor below, as well as battling with fireworks the evening through.
With the words ‘4 relationship comedies’ on the bill it was a fairly safe bet there would be some gender politics during the evening, but these were mostly out of the way two thirds through Lisa Parry’s Fairy Steps, which although a light and humorous opening to the night, was for me hampered somewhat by feminist overtones.
One of the more endearing things about the performance however, was the creative use of minimal props and scenery. Whilst the homely aesthetic of the British Legion lent itself kindly to the two pub set plays, A bright red light and two chairs set Rosie Finnegan’s surreal political dialogue, Back to Back, neatly in a ‘Con-Dem’ torture chamber. The piece provided a comedic reflection of the coalition government through the eyes of two neighbours sentenced to death, and was at its strongest when focusing on squirrels and facile chat rather than party politics.
Tommy Kearney’s ‘A Bad Day’ was a well written and well acted insight into two extremely different days and led neatly and into the highlight of the event, Stewart Taylor and Kerry Stockwell’s brilliant performance of Rodger Goldsmith’s ‘Material Things’. The play offered a window into the awkward meeting of two ex lovers in a furniture showroom, and whilst somewhat less comedic than the other three plays, created a beautifully uncomfortable insight into the lives of the characters and featured the most refreshingly honest sofa based monologue I think I’ve ever heard.
Second only perhaps to buying seven issues of The Salisbury Journal, I think Colin Burden and The Bootleg Theatre Company have succeeded in creating the most entertaining way to spend five pounds in Salisbury.
_______________________________
SNAPSHOTS
Pub theatre is back in Frome, this time with a production by the Salisbury-based Bootleg Theatre Company.
A near full-capacity audience escaped the evening's wet and windy weather to enjoy the intimate surroundings that makes Upstairs at The Lamb such a great venue.
Candlelit and cozy, it was the ideal place to watch Snapshots' four relationship-themed comedy plays, all by new writers.
In Fairy Steps, written by Lisa Parry, colleagues Charlotte and Rob (Sara Taylor and Joe Bossano) are out for a drink. Except this time, it's no ordinary after-work event; it's a first date.
Divorcee and single mum Charlotte sums her feelings up admirably with, "It just feels strange". Parry's play produces some great comic one-liners, which were clearly appreciated by the audience.
Moving from pub to prison, local writer Rosie Finnegan's play Back To Back is a clever political satire starring neighbours June and Matt (Kerry Stockwell and Stewart Taylor).
The pair are awaiting execution for the crime of failing to report having seen a grey squirrel in Matt's garden.
Back To Back was one of the winners of this year's Port Eliot Literary Festival, Miracle Theatre competition and it's easy to see why.
This comic vision of life under a coalition government gives rise to such gems as an overcrowded Cornwall, the closure of Wales to save water, a five-day weekend and, of course, the introduction of some absurd laws.
One man's good fortune is another's bad luck. For Malcolm (Joe Bassano) in A Bad Day, things start to go wrong when he loses his job and is mugged in the street.
Liverpool-based writer Tommy Kierney's tale includes plenty of sharp dialogue and a heartwarming conclusion.
In the evening's final play, Material Things by Roger Goldsmith, strong acting by Steward Taylor and Kerry Stockwell helped to bring to life this tale of two sofas when former lovers Matt and Diane bump into each in a furniture shop.
Snapshots is a production that has lots going for it.
Credit must go to director Colin Burden and the actors of Bootleg for bringing such an enjoyable and entertaining evening to Frome. Also to Nevertheless Productions, who once again have shown that you don't need to spend mega-bucks to see decent theatre.
Never has 45 minutes seemed to fly by quite so quickly.
Sue Watts
_____________________________________
Five Go Killing, Bootleg Theatre Company, Lighthouse Studio,Poole
By Lyn Richell »
THIS one-hour monologue was presented by the Bootleg Theatre Company as part of the Poole Literary Festival. It was written by John Foster who is subject leader of the screenwriting programmes of the Media School of Bournemouth University.
Director Colin Burden did well with only one actor with well-timed moves and got the most from the pauses and change of direction.
This was not an easy piece and credit most go to Clare McCall for being word perfect and telling the story of how she and four friends went on a killing spree in Bournemouth – eradicating elderly people.
Her description of the OAPs they killed was spine-chilling.
The only difficulty for me was the fact that for most of the time, Clare’s face was in shadow which was a great pity, as when she was sat on the floor and could be seen clearly, her facial expressions were superb.
I’m glad to say she was not fazed by someone in the audience who did not have the courtesy to turn off their mobile phone – she did not even blink or change pace – well done to her.
Also all credit to her that at the end of the piece I looked at my watch expecting to see 30 minutes had passed when in fact almost an hour had gone by.