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| Mortimer Dramatic Society. Based in St. John's Hall Mortimer, MDS is an amateur theatre company and has been presenting high quality plays and musicals and musical plays, to a professional standard, for the people of Mortimer and North Hampshire since 1951 |
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Spring & Port Wine
by Bill Naughton.
4th & 5th and 11th & 12th May 2001
About The Play
Since its first presentation in 1965, "Spring and Port Wine" has stood the test of time and has fast become a standard in the theatrical world. Although it is set in the mid 1960's in the north of England, it is still as fresh today as when first produced. Although there are references to pine-decimal money and other things. which are now peculiar to the current generation. it can still hold an audience spellbound.
The action takes place in the living room of the Crompton family, the head of the household being Rafe Crompton around who are gathered his wife, two sons and two daughters. There are two other minor characters that make up the cast, the boyfriend of one of the daughters and the next-door neighbour. Rafe is a typical father figure of the time, intent on ensuring his family obeys his commands and endeavouring to ensure his family survive better then their neighbours. Gradually his family begin to rebel at his authoritarian attitude and the business with a herring at dinner makes the situation explosive and leads to the potential breaking up of the family until Rafe is made to see the error of his ways and they are reunited in an atmosphere more progressive and tolerant.
The Reviews
Newbury Weekly News
Director's debut with classy vintage
'Spring and Port Wine', performed by Mortimer Dramatic Society, at St
John’s Hall, Mortimer on Friday May 4th, Saturday May 5th, Friday May
11th and Saturday May 12th
Bill Naughton’s comedy about a Lancashire family is set in the sixties, with the inflexible bully of a father keeping the rest of the family under his thumb. His attitudes are rooted several decades earlier, but the rest of the family are starting to rebel.
From the start, it was clear that this was going to be a high-class production. Ray Tomasi’s set was stunning, showing the family living room, complete with piano, and the lean-to porch outside. The casting was perfect, with strong performances from all the actors, and the pace was good in the first act.
The key part is that of Rafe Crompton, the head of the family, and Tom Shorrock gave an excellent performance as the domineering patriarch, but with his gentler side coming out towards the end. Shelley Worboys was his long-suffering but loyal wife, showing occasional moments of rebellion.
Part of the reason the play worked so well was the way that the very different characters of the four children were brought out. Michael Picking was very impressive as Harold, who fancied himself as a bit of a lad, but was afraid to face up to his father. Jane Hodgson gave a sensitive performance as the elder daughter Florence, Steve Hannan did well as the rather dopey Wilfred, and Helen Sharpe once again showed how well she copes with a range of emotions as the younger daughter Hilda. In the other parts, Darryl Manners, as Florence’s fiancé, showed the difficulties encountered by an outsider faced with the close-knit Crompton family, and Sarah Heaven gave a lovely comic performance as the neighbour, complete with headscarf and fag.
Act I was brilliant, but in Act II things started to fall apart, for one reason only: prompts. When actors need prompting, it’s incredibly unsettling for us in the audience. We dread the pauses – is it a real pause, or has he forgotten his words again? Our concentration goes, we lose the plot, and the pace of the production falls away.
Despite this problem, congratulations to Tom Shorrock, directing for the first time, as well as acting, for a really impressive production.
PAUL SHAVE
Henry Hawes - NODA Representative - Area 13.
| On Friday 4th May, I was invited to review this presentation of "Spring and Port Wine" by Mortimer Dramatic Society. This was a well cast and characterised play with all performers excellent performances within a superb and well-dressed set. This was the first night and apart from a few prompts, went without a hitch and boded well for the remainder of the performances.
Tom Shorrock - (RAFE CROMPTON) - I was impressed with Tom's characterisation of this role. It is quite a large part to play, being on stage virtually the whole time and having to range through numerous emotions as well, from the domineering father who cannot understand what is the matter with his family, to the realisation that his attitude is leading to the break up of the family and his eventual coming to terms with the situation, all very well portrayed with some excellent facial expressions and a genuine Lancastrian accent. Although this was the first night and there were a number of prompts, this did not detract from an excellent portrayal. Michael Picking - (HAROLD CROMPTON) - This was an expressive performance as one of the Crompton sons who fancied himself as a bit of a 'Jack the Lad', who was prepared to criticise his father when he wasn't present, but was afraid to face up to him when he was. From the programme it would appear that this was his first major role, which makes it more remarkable. He has obviously been wasting his talents behind the bar. Jane Hodgson - (FLORENCE CROMPTON) - As the elder daughter of the Crompton clan, Jane gave a sensitive performance. Her feelings towards her fiancé Arthur were well portrayed, as was her concern about the eventual break-up of the family through the Victorian attitude of her father. Her efforts to 'pour oil over troubled waters' were well done. Helen Sharpe - (HILDA CROMPTON) - In contrast, Helen showed all the attributes of the younger, rebellious daughter, who is not prepared to put up with her overbearing father, coming to a head over the business of the 'herring' which was beautifully done. This was a fine characterisation Steve Hannan - (WILFRED CROMPTON) - As the more reserved of the two Crompton sons. Steve gave a good interpretation of his part, but at the same time showing concern at the potential break-up of the family. As a debut in a play, Steve shows great potential and I shall look forward to seeing him in more plays in the future. Darryl Manners - (ARTHUR GASKET) - A perceptive performance by Darryl as the fiancé of Florence, expressing well the difficulties in trying to be a part of the Crompton family in particular his relationship with his fiancé's father. Here was good diction and expressions. Sarah Heaven - (BETSY JANE) - As the nosey, scrounging next-door neighbour, Sarah Heaven an excellent performance, presenting a character drawn from real life equipped with apron, "fag" and headscarf The regional accent was well maintained with excellent diction so that every word was heard - Well done. Tom Shorrock - (DIRECTOR) - Assisted by Conrad Hornby - I have always said that you should never direct and appear in the same production, particularly if it is your debut production and you are probably saying, 'you are absolutely right'. But that said, this was an enormous achievement and I have nothing but praise for the way this play was presented. It had been well cast and characterised, so that all the performers appeared genuine people. The delivery of the lines had pace with cues well picked up. I could not fault the staging with good movement about the small stage area and accents had been well researched, as they should have been, having come from Lancashire yourself I note from the programme that your assistant was Conrad who I am sure had a certain input into this production and together it is obvious that you make a great team. I look forward to other productions you may take on in the future be it as a Director or performing on stage - Congratulations on your debut. Stage Manager & Crew - This appeared a well-managed stage at all times. Set Design & Construction - A hallmark of Mortimer's productions are their set designs and construction. The design ensures that it fits the small St. John's Hall stage giving the maximum space on stage for the performers. It is well constructed, looking solid with doors and windows, which open on cue without shaking the scenery, as so often happens, and the decor can seldom be faulted. This set was no exception and was well up to the standard of this society and when one considers the small amount of time, which is spent, on this aspect it is a remarkable achievement. May I suggest that you take a coloured photograph of your scenery and submit it for the NODA Set Design and Construction Award - Congratulations Lighting
Design & Operation -
The new lighting system has now settled down and all the bugs
ironed out and which is a vast improvement on the previous system.
The lighting plot was good, ensuring the right atmosphere was
generated on stage with well picked up cues. Wardrobe - All the cast had been well costumed, looking authentic in every detail, and praise must go to those unsung hero's of the Wardrobe Department who ensure the cast go on stage in the right costumes. Props - All the props had been well researched which fitted the period exactly, and looking authentic and pertinent to the plot. Set Dressing - Another hallmark of Mortimer's productions is the attention to detail and this was no exception with a beautifully dressed set, which depicted well a working class living room in Lancashire in the 1960's. Make-up - Looked good under the lights with the right bases and highlights used. Programme - A nice clean looking programme, easily readable, containing sufficient information with good reproduction on the cast photographs. Front of House - Welcoming and friendly to their audience. Thank you for inviting me to review your presentation of "Spring and Port Wine" and for your excellent hospitality. Congratulations to all concerned in this excellent production and all success with you next production. |
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