A Comedy by Frank Vickery
Directed By: Dawn Winter
Thursday 21, Friday 22 & Saturday 23 March 2002
Synopsis
An hilarious comedy from the author of 'One O'Clock From The House' and 'All's Fair', which was originally produced by Parc and Dare in the author's native wales, but also made an appearance at the Fortune Theatre, London, for a Sunday night performance.
The action of the play passes in the living-room, bedroom and hallway of a terraced house in the 1960's.
When young Tracy discovers she is pregnant she doesn't know how to tell either her parents - solid, dependable Elsie and hypochondriac Idris - or her boyfriend, Bobby. Gran, permanently esconsed in bed (on stage), knows all and sees all, helps to pave the way for her announcement. Unfortunately, Idris - overhearing Tracy and Elsie - jumps to the wrong conclusion and believes he has but a short time to live!
Next-door neighbour Masie butts in when Bobby is speaking to Idris and after liberal measures of gin all round, proceeds to show her true affection for Idris! Misunderstandings and mishaps abound in the second Act, not least with Gran, and events are brought to a riotous conclusion when Maisie tries to apologies and Elsie catches her at it!
Review
There was nothing on the telly and I was in need of entertainment. Fortunately, The Monkton Players were putting on their latest production, Family Planning by Frank Vickery, so I joined the first night audience at West Monkton village hall.
Family Planning takes place in the lounge and bedroom of Elsie and Idris' terraced house.
The split set was worthy of its round of applause as the curtains went back and, being set in the 60s, the costumes must have brought back memories for many in the audience.
The part of Gran was played by Ruth Jones, who spent the entire play in bed. She was brilliant, though sometimes cantankerous and sometimes lonely, but always giver of advice Gran.
Debbie Arscott portrayed daughter Tracy with lots of confidence and a wonderful beehive hairdo!
Tracy spends her time trying to persuade dim boyfriend Bobby to marry her after finding herdelf in the 'family way'.
Jeff Shaw was very convincing as the slow but nice Bobby, and while he attempts to explain the position and ask for Tracy's hand in marriage Idris, Tracy's dad, gets the wrong end of the stick and, being a hypochondriac, believes he is about to snuff it.
Graham Pinney has us all in stiches as Idris. In fact, two ladies sat near me were in tears of laughter.
Kathy Blacklock played his long-suffering wife, Elsie, in her usual professional manner.
Maisie Millard, the frustrated neighbour with a hankering after Idris, was a lovely character part played by Jackie Jones, who kept us laughing with tales of a honeymoon first night which never came to anything. I felt, perhaps, that Jackie could have been a little more seductive, but I put it down to first night nerves.
The silent star of the show was Tom Norton in his first acting part with the Players. Though he didn't speak his facial expressions were lovely, and as for his knitting, well... you should have been there.
Well done to Dawn Winter for another good production. I was certainly entertained.
LAURI HORN
Cast
Gran -- Ruth Jones
Tracy -- Debbie Arscott
Elsie -- Kathy Blacklock
Maisie Millard -- Jackie Jones
Jeffrey -- Tom Norton
Idris -- Graham Pinney
Bobby -- Jeff Shaw
Backstage Crew
Director -- Dawn Winter
Co-Director -- Lyn Batt
Publicity -- Tony Barratt
Set Design -- Bob Pettit and Graham Pinney
Lighting -- Phil Simmons
Sound and Stage Manager -- John Furse
Props. -- Colin Jones
Prompt -- Tony Barratt
Set Building -- The Monkton Players 'Gang'
Programme -- Tom Norton
Makeup -- Dawn and Ruth
