By Sally Casey
AMATEUR DRAMATICS is alive and well and flourishing in Thurrock in the form of Thurrock Courts Players (TCP). Indeed, TCP were in the form of their lives with their three performances of Fur Coat and No Knickers pulling in three sell out crowds at the Thameside Theatre.
The audience loved it and there were a number of reasons why. Firstly, Mike Harding’s script is a joy but it is only the clay. Many of the players gave their best ever performances. Harry Doyle’s grand-dad (Nip) was a joyous bundle of Lancastrian confusion and contrariness. Dave Carey’s layabout leftie son (Peter) displayed great comic timing. There were also great “wimpiness” on stage with Kevin Watts playing rich but dim son Mark.
It was also good to see Jim Wilkinson back on stage and he was great as the grumpy father, Harry.
Of course, there was the dependables, who never give a bad performance: Lisa Chapman, Wayne Prince and Karen Reeves.
The cameo of the night came in the shape of Martyn Williams as Father Finbar. He seemed to be all the priests in Father Ted rolled into one!
If there was a criticism it was that the play was too long and spent too much time setting the scene. That may be the restrictive nature of the play and no fault of the director.
The director, Mike Jones, did a very very good job. A lot goes on behind the scenes and Mike is the sort of director who does a million jobs in order to ensure that there are three packed out nights and the play of of the highest standard possible.
And whilst we are on the subject of the Jones’ family, well done to Amy Jones. It may be one line but that is how all the greats started!
Good work by the stage crew and set designers.
It was clear, after speaking to members of the audience after the show, that the Thurrock public love plays like this and would pack the Thameside week in week out.
Once again, well done to all.
