Shaken but not stirred by comedy

As I sat in the audience reading through the programme I thought I was in for a good show. Describing itself as wickedly funny and hilarious gave me the impression that humour was going to feature strongly in the content.

After 20 minutes of silence from the audience I turned my attention away from those on the stage to the people sitting around me.

They were fidgeting, yawning and looking at watches, which pretty much summed up my reaction perfectly.

In all fairness, the performances were strong but not done justice by the weak storyline and predictable punchlines. Seventy minutes was far too long, and during the interval some people left.

BEFORE I returned for the second act I spoke to some of the audience who were not looking forward to another effort from the same writer.

The difference was very clear though, each character had personality and the jokes were played well, filling the room with laughter.

Very lively and watchable but spoilt by the earlier show. If the intention was to send you home happy then Bouncers did its job, had Bouncers been on first people would leave unsatisfied, with Shakers on their minds.

Worth going for Bouncers, worth going home for Shakers.

Mark Thomas - The Evening Advertiser

National One Act Play Festival 2000

Old Town Theatre Company shake up the opposition and bounce into next round of national drama competition!

OTTC celebrate their successes

Swindon's premier Theatre company, Old Town Theatre Company (OTTC), have been celebrating this weekend after winning a place in the regional heats of the National One Act Play Festival.

During week commencing Monday 21st February, Swindon's Arts Centre in Devizes Road, played host to 17 groups with varied entries including comedy, drama and youth productions.

Each entry was required to meet maximum times in terms of stage setting, performance and set striking with points awarded in various categories.

OTTC entered two plays, "Shakers", the bitter sweet story of 4 cocktail waitresses, by John Godber and Jane Thornton. Their second entry was "Bouncers", again by John Godber, this is a comedy with touching insights about four nightclub doormen.

Nancy A. Hollenbaugh directed both.

The final night of the Swindon Festival round was on Saturday 26th when Bouncers was the very last entry, after which adjudication and awards were made.

OTTC were delighted to win the following awards:

OTTC Chairman, Ashley Heath, said: "We're delighted to have won through to the next round of this National Competition and feel these awards confirm OTTC's high standing in Swindon's amateur drama community"

Director, Nancy A. Hollenbaugh, said: "Although I'm overjoyed at winning Best Director, I have to say that with the fantastic pool of acting talent at OTTC, I think my job was made easy! Both our entries were great fun to do and we're looking forward to the next round in Frome."

OTTC will now take Bouncers into the Regional heat at Frome, on the 15th April.

Review

Budding actors and directors were honoured at an awards ceremony on Saturday [26th February], following a week long One Act Play Festival. Drama groups from around the region took part in the well established annual festival, which was held at the Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Swindon. On hand to present the awards was Swindon Deputy Mayor Councillor Arthur Archer (Gorse Hill, Lab).

Theatre Guild secretary, Joan Cheshire said: "The event has been running for more than 50 years, and this year the standard was very high."

Awards winners were:

June Thompson Memorial Cup for Dramatic Endeavour: Bradford Players in Traffiq

Cheshire Trophy for best adult actress in a supporting role: Pat Castle of the Athelston Players in Too Long an Autumn

Leicester Trophy for best adult actor in a supporting role: Jerry Mason of the Lyneham Stage Club in Phillip and Rowena.

Audrey Suter Trophy for the best performance by an adult actor: Liam Evans-Ford of the Bradford Players in Traffiq.

Beryldene-Hurst Cup for the best performance by a junior: Colin Webster of the Highworth Youth Group in Billy.

The Lilley Cup for the best performance by a youth group: Swindon College in their one act adaptation of Blythe Spirit.

Peter English Award for best direction: Nancy Hollenbaugh of the Old Town Theatre Company for Bouncers

Evening Advertiser award for most original production: Judith Hockaday School of Dancing (Drama Dept) for Storm in a Toybox by Mike Rowlands.

Old Swindonian Cup: Lyneham Stage Club for Phillip and Rowena.

Betty Peck Rose Bowl for the group nominated to take part in stage two of the stage festival (to be held at the Merlin Theatre in Frome on April 15): Old Town Theatre Company's Bouncers.

The Evening Advertiser