Bognor's newly formed
drama group, The Regis Players, scored a palpable hit with their
latest production A Month of Sundays, a bitter sweet comedy written
by Bob Larbey (The Good Life, Ever Decreasing Circles, A Fine
Romance).
Set in a Surrey rest
home, it tells the story of Cooper (Peter Green) and his friend
Aylott (Bernard Taylor) having to cope with the daily rituals of
nursing home life; lack of privacy, constant meal times, family
visits, the demise of bodily functions, and the constant ticking of
the clock.
This beautifully
written play needs two things to make it work: a good director and a
strong cast. This production had both.
Sandy Knight
(director), brought to the production her wealth of experience,
managing to keep the delicate balance of laughter and tears
perfectly.
The cast, without
exception, were excellent. Peter Green (Cooper) gave a real tour de
force, never off stage, effortlessly carrying this difficult role
with professional assurance.
Bernard Taylor (Aylott), whose sensitive portrayal of a man coming
to terms with Alzheimer’s, was beautifully played. His realization
and acceptance at the end of the play that this was his fate, left
even the most hardened members of the audience reaching for their
hankies. Sonia Johnson (Julia) and Matthew Blyther (Peter), were
both excellent as Cooper's daughter and son in law, allowing us to
see the difficulty, awkwardness and necessity we've all felt when
visiting elderly relatives.
Julia Webb (Mrs Baker)
brought warmth and humour (and a duster!) with her every time she
appeared and never once slipped in to caricature. Corinne Court
(Nurse Wilson) gave the performance of her life, at last playing
against type, she was able display what a fine actress she is.
Congratulations must
also go to Elaine Green (Stage manager) and all the backstage crew,
for coping effortlessly (and silently) with the scene changes.
Excellent lighting, and
sound, both provided by Howard Johnson, made this one of the best
nights in the theatre I've had for a long time.
If this fledgling
company can keep up this standard, it will give Bognor Regis one of
the best drama groups in the South.
Well done to all.
John Covey.
