The Good Life Press Review
The Good Life Lowther Pavilion Lytham
Skilled direction and accomplished performances were acclaimed by a large and enthusiastic audience on the opening night of Fylde Coast Players’ stage production of ‘The Good Life, written in 2021 by Jeremy Sams.
The dimensions of the Lowther stage enable the adjacent homes of newly converted ‘good lifers’ Tom and Barbara and of snobby suburban Surbitonite Margo and the long-suffering Jerry to be seen at the same time. Director Paul Lomax uses this width and slick lighting changes to maintain a pleasing pace throughout.
It’s a carefully crafted drama, opening with a slightly lengthy though amusing exposition of how Tom comes to his new self-sufficient way of life. This gives credence to the plot as a whole.
The audience loved the four lead performances. Andy Cooke is fluent and polished as the ‘converted’ Tom, whilst Gill Drinkwater portrays Barbara as warm-hearted, supportive and yet also independent of mind.
Rosie Withers shrieks and sneers superbly… and her outfits speak volumes too. Rich Spilman uses his words, silences and sideways glances effectively in their distinctly up-and-down relationship.
Each of the quartet is most likeable in their own way, to the delight of the audience. Sams gives both the two women and the two men the opportunity to play separately as pair in some scenes which adds to the hilarity when they are all together.
The comical finale to the first act sees the audience realising that the “poppy cake” is more than first appears, whilst the cast munch magically away.
Don Green, Heather Cartmell, Dawn Martyne and Connor O’Beirne are first class in supporting roles, adding much humour with some over-the-top physical acting. Clara Redfearn as Geraldine is cutely amusing too – spoiler alerts prevent any further comments on just how.
The set design, costumes and immaculately detailed props contribute much to the creation of the 1970s atmosphere – top marks here to Tim and Kath Greenwood, Anne Cruden and Sue Wood.
The comedy increases throughout the second act as the cast struggle to keep the smallest newly- born pig alive – a wonderful visual moment as they celebrate success – and Margot melodramatically announces that she was utterly useless in ‘The Sound of Music’ – this to general agreement.
One final twist in the tale sends the audience home entertained and chuckling.
Julian Wilde
Skilled direction and accomplished performances were acclaimed by a large and enthusiastic audience on the opening night of Fylde Coast Players’ stage production of ‘The Good Life, written in 2021 by Jeremy Sams.
The dimensions of the Lowther stage enable the adjacent homes of newly converted ‘good lifers’ Tom and Barbara and of snobby suburban Surbitonite Margo and the long-suffering Jerry to be seen at the same time. Director Paul Lomax uses this width and slick lighting changes to maintain a pleasing pace throughout.
It’s a carefully crafted drama, opening with a slightly lengthy though amusing exposition of how Tom comes to his new self-sufficient way of life. This gives credence to the plot as a whole.
The audience loved the four lead performances. Andy Cooke is fluent and polished as the ‘converted’ Tom, whilst Gill Drinkwater portrays Barbara as warm-hearted, supportive and yet also independent of mind.
Rosie Withers shrieks and sneers superbly… and her outfits speak volumes too. Rich Spilman uses his words, silences and sideways glances effectively in their distinctly up-and-down relationship.
Each of the quartet is most likeable in their own way, to the delight of the audience. Sams gives both the two women and the two men the opportunity to play separately as pair in some scenes which adds to the hilarity when they are all together.
The comical finale to the first act sees the audience realising that the “poppy cake” is more than first appears, whilst the cast munch magically away.
Don Green, Heather Cartmell, Dawn Martyne and Connor O’Beirne are first class in supporting roles, adding much humour with some over-the-top physical acting. Clara Redfearn as Geraldine is cutely amusing too – spoiler alerts prevent any further comments on just how.
The set design, costumes and immaculately detailed props contribute much to the creation of the 1970s atmosphere – top marks here to Tim and Kath Greenwood, Anne Cruden and Sue Wood.
The comedy increases throughout the second act as the cast struggle to keep the smallest newly- born pig alive – a wonderful visual moment as they celebrate success – and Margot melodramatically announces that she was utterly useless in ‘The Sound of Music’ – this to general agreement.
One final twist in the tale sends the audience home entertained and chuckling.
Julian Wilde
