Esk Valley Theatre

Esk Valley Theatre: Past Productions

"Friends Uninvited"

Review by Kevin Berry (The Stage)

Published 15th August 2007

The name Ayckbourn stands out in the credits and this Ayckbourn is indeed Sir Alan's son.

Friends Uninvited is the first professional production of one of Steven’s plays. It is staged by the Eskdale Theatre company for the holidaymakers and locals of the North York Moors. Lighting and design are by Graham Kirk and Pip Leckenby, the regular team at Hull Truck.

There has been a school reunion and not long after it dishevelled, clumsy Roger, the first uninvited friend, turns up at the posh London flat of Duncan. Roger is fleeing from Jill, a voracious girl trained in many martial arts, who is determined that Roger is the man for her.

Interestingly Duncan is the shy type and he was never really friends with either of them. This is only revealed in the second act, making Duncan's put upon situation all the more bewildering for him.

A first act with periods of tedious exposition needs madcap, screwball pacing and more could be made of Hugo's clumsiness. The second act is much freer and there is palpable relish on stage.

Beatrice Curnew as Jill is exceptional. She dictates the comic vigour of the play. Hugo Thurston as Roger is engaging but fuller use should be made of his gangling frame. Give him more things to fall over and to break.

Mark Beardsmore as Duncan has a fine second act. His tortured resignation, as he sits in a wheelchair in his wrecked flat, is heartfelt.

This is an entertaining, unpretentious play. Audiences will go home chuckling.

Production information

By: Steven Ayckbourn
Management: Esk Valley Theatre
Cast: Mark Beardsmore, Beatrice Curnew, Hugo Thurston
Director: Mark Stratton
Designer: Pip Leckenby
Production Manager/Lighting Designer: Graham Kirk
Stage Manager on the Book: Dave Poulter
Producer: Sheila Carter

For more previews and reviews click HERE.
For additional production information & photos click HERE.

---

"The Business of Murder"

Review by Kevin Berry (The Stage)

Published Monday 14th August 2006 at 11.20

Holidaymakers and locals in the beautiful but rather remote Esk Valley which is inland from Whitby, now have an established theatre company to entertain them in the holiday weeks. The Esk Valley Summer Theatre also offers children their own Storytime Theatre sessions during the daylight hours.

This Richard Harris three-hander is ideal fare for the grown-ups after a day out on the moors. The Business of Murder is a classic thriller, absorbing from the outset with quite a few surprises on the way.

Ian Cairns as the mysterious Mr. Stone sets an increasingly disturbing tone. He draws the story's other characters into an ever tightening web. This role is essential to the play's success and Cairns is thorough and convincing.

Good support comes from Mark Stratton as a bluff policeman and Ceri Ann Gregory as a glamorous writer who has been carrying on with said policeman. It takes some believing that there has been chemistry between the two of them, but they do handle the plot's shifts of emphasis and sympathy extremely well. A touch more tension in some of the exchanges would be beneficial.

Bringing in a designer of Pip Leckenby's standing shows the commitment of the Esk Valley company, as does going to the trouble and expense of hiring a raised seating frame. This is a polished production in a comfortable venue and it will do the company's reputation a deal of good.

Production information

By: Richard Harris
Management: Esk Valley Summer Theatre
Cast: Ian Cairns, Ceri Ann Gregory, Mark Stratton
Director: Christopher Dunham
Design: Pip Leckenby
Lighting: Graham Kirk

---

"September in the Rain"

Review by Dave Windass (The Stage)

Director Carter, Stratton and his co-star, Mary Rider, do the piece full justice......a lot of work has also gone into making the production the company's first success. The end result is a spot on rendition of the play."

The audience immediately warmed to Mark Stratton's comical portrayal as Jack, and Mary Ryder is a perfect foil as Liz. Both actors giving strong, convincing and enjoyable performances.

Sheila Carter has done a cracking job directing and the way she engineers the set pieces is a treat

Production information

By: John Godber
Management: Esk Valley Summer Theatre
Cast: Mark Stratton, Mary Ryder
Director: Sheila Carter
Lighting: John Bramley

---

---