For one performance only (19th August) Fylde Coast Players put on a radio dramatisation of the classic H G Wells novel, 'The War of the Worlds'
The play was set on the Fylde Coast and was written and directed by Kath Greenwood
And this is what NODA thought...
Martians in the Fylde
Author: Adam Calvert
Information
Date
19th August 2024
Society
Fylde Coast Players
Venue
Lowther Pavilion
Type of Production
Play
Director
Kath Greenwood
Written By
H G Wells and adapted by Kath Greenwood
On Monday 19th August, I was very pleased to be asked to attend an event unlike any other that I’ve covered as the relatively new representative of District 2 - ‘Martians in the Fylde’, a re-imagined version of the classic ‘War of the Worlds’. This was to be presented as a radio play, in the marquee on the lawn of the Lowther Pavilion, and immediately my interest was piqued!
H G Wells original book/radio play had been adapted and directed by Kath Greenwood, of the Fylde Coast players, and we’ll begin proceedings by commending her heartily on a job well done on both counts. Her adaptation was sympathetic to the original source material, whilst being relevant and interesting to a modern audience with different sensibilities. Her dialogue was well-written and her characters fully developed. As a radio play, her direction was almost entirely in the vocal arena, and I felt that she had been able to draw some truly memorable performances out of her cast. More on that to follow.
The setup of the piece was simple, with the six actors seated in a line on chairs, standing at the appropriate moments to speak into the microphones in front of them. They used scripts throughout, which is standard practice in radio plays, and caused no distraction to the audience. In fact, at a number of points, I just closed my eyes and let the soundscape wash over me and it was wonderful.
The director had made the decision to underscore and punctuate the play with a range of pieces of popular music, which worked beautifully on the day. It didn’t hurt that more than a few of the songs were from the back catalogue of David Bowie, my all-time favourite musician! The songs performed the same role as scenery changes in traditional plays, in that they focused the audience’s imagination on shifts in narrative threads and settings. It was a simple concept, executed flawlessly by Tim Greenwood, who was in charge of sound.
Leading the cast was Ian Edmundson in the role of H G Wells, operating as the narrator of the piece. His lines were lifted directly from the original novel and very effectively set the scene and drove the narrative forward. Edmundson’s performance of the role was exceptional, largely thanks to his unbelievably commanding yet soothing vocal tones. He spoke with a clarity and gravitas which was near-perfect for the role, and his diction and enunciation were second-to-none. No notes from me!
As the Radio Presenter, whose job it also was to narrate the key moments and move the narrative onward, Rich Spilman was the perfect person for the job. His vocal performance delivered varied moments of light and shade, and his real skill on the day was convincingly portraying a person who just couldn’t quite believe what was unfolding in front of him. The scene in which he was tucked away in Blackpool Tower while the invading Martians reduced the Fylde Coast to rubble was just breath-taking.
Keith Cruden performed the role of Professor Ogilvy and, like the actors I’ve already discussed, his work was largely note-perfect. He spoke with clarity and conviction throughout and the scenes in which he was at the beach seeing the alien craft for the first time were exceptional. The only complaint I could level is that due to his character’s untimely demise, I didn’t get to spend as much time enjoying his performance as I wanted to!
As roving reporter, Nathalie, Maureen Calveley delivered a nuanced, incredulous and emotional performance which, in many ways, provided the emotional core of the piece. Her work on the day was truly commendable.
Major Shakespeare, the soldier tasked with leading the counter-attack on the Martians, was played with huge confidence and commanding presence by Carole Morley. It was truly impressive to see how a character could take control of a scene simply with the power of their voice and the authority with which they issue orders. Morley excelled in the role.
Tim Greenwood had a walk-on role as a police officer, which he performed with confidence and style. There are no small parts(!) and he certainly made the most he could have made of this limited but important role.
I was joined by my wife and nine-year-old daughter for this performance and we spent the rest of the day chatting about it in an animated manner. We just loved it. A performance of any kind is only as good as its weakest performer or idea but this thumpingly good piece of radio drama had no weaknesses to speak of. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy Monday afternoon and I eagerly await Fylde Coast Players’ next performance.
Thanks, as ever, for the invitation and hospitality.
© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.
Martians in the Fylde
Author: Adam Calvert
Information
Date
19th August 2024
Society
Fylde Coast Players
Venue
Lowther Pavilion
Type of Production
Play
Director
Kath Greenwood
Written By
H G Wells and adapted by Kath Greenwood
On Monday 19th August, I was very pleased to be asked to attend an event unlike any other that I’ve covered as the relatively new representative of District 2 - ‘Martians in the Fylde’, a re-imagined version of the classic ‘War of the Worlds’. This was to be presented as a radio play, in the marquee on the lawn of the Lowther Pavilion, and immediately my interest was piqued!
H G Wells original book/radio play had been adapted and directed by Kath Greenwood, of the Fylde Coast players, and we’ll begin proceedings by commending her heartily on a job well done on both counts. Her adaptation was sympathetic to the original source material, whilst being relevant and interesting to a modern audience with different sensibilities. Her dialogue was well-written and her characters fully developed. As a radio play, her direction was almost entirely in the vocal arena, and I felt that she had been able to draw some truly memorable performances out of her cast. More on that to follow.
The setup of the piece was simple, with the six actors seated in a line on chairs, standing at the appropriate moments to speak into the microphones in front of them. They used scripts throughout, which is standard practice in radio plays, and caused no distraction to the audience. In fact, at a number of points, I just closed my eyes and let the soundscape wash over me and it was wonderful.
The director had made the decision to underscore and punctuate the play with a range of pieces of popular music, which worked beautifully on the day. It didn’t hurt that more than a few of the songs were from the back catalogue of David Bowie, my all-time favourite musician! The songs performed the same role as scenery changes in traditional plays, in that they focused the audience’s imagination on shifts in narrative threads and settings. It was a simple concept, executed flawlessly by Tim Greenwood, who was in charge of sound.
Leading the cast was Ian Edmundson in the role of H G Wells, operating as the narrator of the piece. His lines were lifted directly from the original novel and very effectively set the scene and drove the narrative forward. Edmundson’s performance of the role was exceptional, largely thanks to his unbelievably commanding yet soothing vocal tones. He spoke with a clarity and gravitas which was near-perfect for the role, and his diction and enunciation were second-to-none. No notes from me!
As the Radio Presenter, whose job it also was to narrate the key moments and move the narrative onward, Rich Spilman was the perfect person for the job. His vocal performance delivered varied moments of light and shade, and his real skill on the day was convincingly portraying a person who just couldn’t quite believe what was unfolding in front of him. The scene in which he was tucked away in Blackpool Tower while the invading Martians reduced the Fylde Coast to rubble was just breath-taking.
Keith Cruden performed the role of Professor Ogilvy and, like the actors I’ve already discussed, his work was largely note-perfect. He spoke with clarity and conviction throughout and the scenes in which he was at the beach seeing the alien craft for the first time were exceptional. The only complaint I could level is that due to his character’s untimely demise, I didn’t get to spend as much time enjoying his performance as I wanted to!
As roving reporter, Nathalie, Maureen Calveley delivered a nuanced, incredulous and emotional performance which, in many ways, provided the emotional core of the piece. Her work on the day was truly commendable.
Major Shakespeare, the soldier tasked with leading the counter-attack on the Martians, was played with huge confidence and commanding presence by Carole Morley. It was truly impressive to see how a character could take control of a scene simply with the power of their voice and the authority with which they issue orders. Morley excelled in the role.
Tim Greenwood had a walk-on role as a police officer, which he performed with confidence and style. There are no small parts(!) and he certainly made the most he could have made of this limited but important role.
I was joined by my wife and nine-year-old daughter for this performance and we spent the rest of the day chatting about it in an animated manner. We just loved it. A performance of any kind is only as good as its weakest performer or idea but this thumpingly good piece of radio drama had no weaknesses to speak of. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy Monday afternoon and I eagerly await Fylde Coast Players’ next performance.
Thanks, as ever, for the invitation and hospitality.
© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.