Spring Production 2015

The Safari Party

A Comedy by Tim Firth

Directed By Trish Donson

In association with Samuel French Ltd

Playing at the Kelsick Centre Ambleside

For 4 nights from

Wednesday 8th April to Saturday 11th April

Click below to watch clips of play. (Act 1 is Audio only)

Act1 (Audio only)         Act 2 (Video)        Act 3 (Video)

 Review Published in the Wesmorland Gazette 16/03/2015

AMBLESIDE Players have recently chosen some unusual, interesting plays, and Tim Firth's Safari Party, was one of these. This dark, rumbustious comedy, deals with the fortunes of two young farming brothers who are desperately trying to make ends meet. The play was directed by Trish Donson, who handled the challenge very skilfully, especially as it was performed in the round. Phil Higgins and Ben Abdelnoor were excellent as the brothers Dan and Adam, gaining our sympathy and pointing up their contrasting characters, all with great comedy. Barry Porter clearly revelled in portraying chauvinistic, nouveau riche Lol, and was very funny, as was Jenny Kynman as his suitably bling - adorned wife, Esther. Compliments to the wardrobe team are due here. Faye Buckley was delightful as their long-suffering daughter, driven to white lies to avoid their embarassiing interference in her life. Completing the party was antiques dealer Inga, as whom Moira Rowlinson provided a charming urbanity, in marked contrast to the other characters. Special praise must go to the backstage team, who dealt most efficiently with the demands of three totally different sets and many props - not at all easy in the round format.

Altogether this made a very enjoyable evening's entertainment.

Kathryn M Saalmans

'

Three households in Cheshire have agreed to hold a 'safari party' - a dinner party, each course of which is served at a different house. The hors d' oeuvres are served by Daniel and Adam, brothers whose abusive father was recently shot dead, the main course by Lol and Esther, upwardly-mobile and vulgar, and the dessert by Inga, a seemingly benign antique dealer. The three households are linked not just socially, however: there's the whole question of the table  ...  The brothers sold it to Inga, inventing a slightly colourful history for it to increase its value, and then she resold it at a staggering profit - with an even more elaborate storytelling - to Lol and Esther. As the evening progresses, the many layers of truth about the table, some shocking, are revealed and violence flares.

Cast

Adam ...... Ben Abdelnoor

Daniel ..... Phil Higgins

Bridget .....Faye Buckley

Esther ......Jenny Kynman

Lol ............Barry Porter

Inga .........Moira Rowlinson