Review: A bunch of amateurs
Our Verdict: 3/5 STARS
A comedic performance of a play within a play, A Bunch of Amateurs is a production by Teddington-based group Park Players, of a Hollywood star-driven to despair when forced to confront the amateur acting world.
With the knowledge that Park Players have not performed in the main auditorium for 18 years, I was intrigued by the performance I was about to view as I entered Hampton Hill Theatre. But when the performance began – with characters Mary, Nigel and Dorothy discussing their pitch for saving their theatre company – this was forgotten. The actors gave valiant performances throughout the show and showed no signs of being daunted by a larger audience.
After the introductory scene, the story of a failing theatre group desperately needing a boost in funds to keep the company going unravels, and Jefferson Steel – big shot from America – arrives on the scene to help ‘save the day’. He, however, is unaware of this thanks to a miscommunication from his agent, and he arrives expecting Stratford-upon-Avon instead of Stratford. Asking where Meryl Streep and Dame Judi Dench are and upon learning that it is just six actors in a small theatre, Jefferson asks to be escorted to his hotel and is taken to the local B & B.
After trying to wiggle his way out of performing, discovering just how difficult learning the lines of King Lear is when you are the main role, and his daughter unexpectedly arriving on the scene, Jefferson Steele eventually has a change of heart and decides to go through with the production.
Fitting in with the Shakespearean theme the play was split into two acts with six scenes in the first and ten in the second. Each scene ended with a small verse sung to the crowd, which was a nice touch.
The light-hearted comedy in the play makes for easy watching, and although rather far-fetched at times, the storyline was entertaining. For me, the star of the show was flamboyant character Nigel, who – with an exceptionally large ego – is convinced he can play King Lear better than Hollywood actor Jefferson Steele and was a constant source of humour – the acting was really impressive.
I would recommend the performance to any Shakespeare fans seeking a laughter-filled evening. Having recently seen King Lear in the West End this play was a fitting watch for my partner and me, and we appreciated any jokes around the play that little bit more because of this. Unlike King Lear though, this play was not a tragedy, and the ending – complete with a love story between Dorothy and Jefferson – rounded off the play nicely.
Details
Venue: Hampton Hill Theatre
Price: From £12
Upcoming Shows & Times:
27th September 2018 19:45 - 22:00
28th September 2018 19:45 - 22:00
29th September 2018 19:45 - 22:00
Tickets: yourboxoffice.co.uk/park-players
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