8th, 9th& 10th November 2007
When John Haddrell dies of a heart attack at the wheel of his car, the woman at his side is not his wife Margaret but his lover, Julia. Recovering from the injuries she sustained in the ensuing crash, Julia is visited by Margaret, who apparently knows nothing of the affair. Events take a sinister turn when Margaret begins to encroach on Julia's life, engineering Julia's dismissal of her home help, Gary, and her estrangement from her counsellor, Anne. Left alone in the house together, Julia and Margaret are locked in deadly combat...
Dead Guilty is a intriguing and powerful revenge thriller.
Directed By Claire Quley and Jon McNamara
SPONSERED BY 1ST CALL MOBILITY
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Harlow Star Review, November 15th, 2007 Even West End Productions do well to hold an audiences attention for almost 2 1/2 hours, despite having the advantage of mega budgets and the occasional Hollywood actor. But the Moot House Players did their best in their latest presentation, Richar Harris' Dead Guilty. Under the joint direction of players new blood Claire Quley and stalwart Jon McNamara, the dramas four main performers blossomed into their roles during this 140 minute epic focusing on a scorned wife seeking revenge on her husbands mistress. The bleak set created a sombre mood, which added to the eerie storyline centering on Margaret Haddrell (Played by the brilliant Rosalind Barron) seeking revenge on Julia Darrow (Jennifer Dogherty) who she think is having an affair with her husband and was his passenger the night he had a fatal crash. Dogherty paced delivery, while at first difficult to cope with, eventually became obvious as the personification of the characters neurosis. The accident leaves Julia with a damaged leg and seeking counselling, to cleanse her mudelled, guilt ridden life, from shrink Anne Bennett (the very believable Biddy McAlpine). The play however takes a sinister twist when Margaret slowlt takes over Julias life, plying her with sleeping tablets and making her believe her friendly handyman Gary (Marc Winn) is stealling money from her, thus prompting her to sack him. Free to be left to her own devices, Margaret then kills Julia with a lethal cocktail of tablets. Winn did a good job of playing the lovestruck handyman who grows to dislike the object of his affection. The troupe's staging appeared to neglect the generous space they have at their disposal and there's something deeply oldfashioned with not experimenting with seating and setting - A little 21st century thinking might even help the woefull ticket sales!. Nevertheless, Barron's perfomance alone was enough to make it an enjoyable production. |
January 31st (8pm), February 1st (8pm) and 2nd (3pm & 8pm) 2008
The Quest For The Gorgon's Head - Bett Hewlett
A complete change in direction this year. Going right back into the
mists of Antiquity the Players are presenting a well known Greek Myth,
the story of Perseus and the Gorgons Head. A story packed with action
following Perseus on his strange and dangerous quest. Even after his
mission is accomplished further adventures await Perseus including an
encounter with a fearsome Sea Serpent. The good, the bad, the foolish
and the cunning, mortals and immortals all find their way into the story,
Altogether an exciting evening is predicted for actors and audience alike.
Directed By Bett Hewlett
The Quest For The Gorgons Head Photo Gallery
More Quest For The Gorgons Head Photo's
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Harlow Star Review, February 7th 2008 From the moment the audience walked into Moot Hall for this production, we were transported into a different world. The intricate and beautiful stage setting, with its miniature temple, its rocks, its cleverly painted mosaic floor and the quiet Greek music in the background prepared us for an evening of Mediterranean magic - and what an adventure it was! In the space of two hours Perseus (Dan Powell) was conceived, born, set afloat in a chest, and then rescued. He killed two monsters (both splendidly designed and made by Paul Regeli), fell in love, got married, turned his enemies into stone and ended up by killing his own grandfather - by mistake, of course! As an introduction to Greek mythology, this could not be faulted and some schools sent parties to see it: what a shame that all the Harlow schools did not do the same! Written and directed by Bett Hewlett, this was just the thing to inspire children with a love of the classics. Robbie Chittick’s impish Hermes and Jenny Southwell’s stately Athena (with overtones of Britannia) made the gods totally believable, while Dan Powell’s Perseus grew before our very eyes from a diffident and rather stupid boy to a plausible hero. Michael and Rosemary Caswell were delightful as the Greek Chorus (reduced to a squabbling old married couple), busily scoring points off one another, while still managing to link the actors and the audience. The rest of the cast tackled the remaining parts (some appearing as five different characters!) with aplomb and clear differentiation. If future productions at Moot Hall can capture the energy, flair and overall excellence of this one, audiences will be able to forget the very considerable shortcomings of the venue and the Players will be able to embark on an assured and entertaining future. By Michael Branwell |
March 13th, 14th and 15th 2008
Private Fears in Public Places - Alan Ayckbourn
A high speed romp through a medley of emotions as seven lives meet and
mingle. Mostly hysterically funny with flashes of unexpected sadness to
add balance. In this play Mr Ayckbourn displays his natural genius in a
play that is both “typical Ayckbourn” and yet radically different. An
evenings entertainment to remember for a long time!
Private Fears ... had phenomenal success in New York and was considered
one of the "top ten" theatrical events of 2005 - it has also been made
into a successful award winning film.
Directed By Jon McNamara
Photos of Private Fears In Public Places
May 15th, 16th and 17th 2008
The Gin Game
Weller Martin and Fonsia Dorsey, two elderly residents at a nursing home for senior citizens, strike up an acquaintance. Neither seems to have any other friends, and they start to enjoy each other's company. Weller offers to teach Fonsia how to play gin rummy, and they begin playing a series of games that Fonsia always wins. Weller's inability to win a single hand becomes increasingly frustrating to him, while Fonsia becomes increasingly confident.
While playing their games of gin, they engage in lengthy conversations about their families and their lives in the outside world. Gradually, each conversation becomes a battle, much like the ongoing gin games, as each player tries to expose the other's weaknesses.
Directed By Tony Edwards
July 10th, 11th and 12th 2008
Arms And The Man - George Bernard Shaw
He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. Alla fair in love and war, and certainly the Balkan States have seen their fair share of both, nothing changes except the cut of the uniforms.
Love blossoms in the shadows of the canons. Following the recent unrest in the Slavic States, this piece from Mr. Shaw deserves a revival as its themes are eternal.
The story of the Chocolate Cream Soilder is as new and fresh as spring flowers and as old as the hills on which they dance. Two couples spin in the eternal dance of love, which suitor will she favour?
Only, coming from the pen of G.B.S, the story is laced with satire, the soilders quake at the approach of.....not their Generals, but the Generals wives. A professional soilder carries not bullets in his pockets but chocolate.
This production has been slightly updated, but incase you find the idea of a cavalry charge anachronistic, remember that the Polish Army through the horse cavalry against German tanks in 1939.
Directed By Rosie Caswell