There was a buzz of anticipation in the packed community hall at Tipton St John last week for TIPPS’ production of Triple Treat, an evening of one-act plays with a difference.
First up was the melodrama Dark Brown, directed by Ann Knight and written by Philip Johnson, a reclusive author with local connections.
The stunning set received a well-deserved ripple of applause as the curtains opened to a living-room typical of the 1890s.
Jenny Brown’s elusive husband is continually away from home, ostensibly visiting his sick aunt in Eastbourne. Seeds of mistrust creep in, and parallels emerge as her disapproving mother and employee Miss Tasker, highlight the story and recent hanging of a wife murderer.
Judith Taylor, Yvonne Kellett and Kyle Hayes played the three ladies and Linda Williams made a brief but effective appearance as the eccentric aunt.
Lisette Johnson brought light relief to the proceedings as the tactless and flipperty cousin Belle, accompanied by a debonair Mark Reader as her understanding fiancé Fred, and Roger Hunt showed a depth of emotion and feeling in the conflict with his secret life as hangman Arthur Brown.
The Allotment by Gillian Plowman, directed by Linda Williams, sowed seeds of a practical kind with four women serving community service orders, for various crimes by growing vegetables on an allotment.
With a transformed stage, complete with runner beans, roses and a potting-shed, the very different characters and their individual stories were revealed.
The roles were very well cast, Mo Mylne the pot-smoking dangerous driver, Diana McKay shoplifter, Denise Wightman blackmailer, and Vivienne Gascoigne-Pees perfectly theatrical as the professional actress convicted of arson, all existing happily in their fantasy world.
Into the pot comes probation officer Claire Martin, forcing them to face the truth, until ‘issues’ from her own past restore the ‘status quo’!
The final piece, Cinderella – a potted pantomime by the inimitable Doris Russell, brought the house down!
With an entirely male cast it was simply a vision to behold, and certainly ended the evening on a riotous note!
All together made for a thought-provoking and entertaining programme!
Tricia Barclay
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