Entertaining Angels
10-12 Oct, 20:00
Our autumn production is Entertaining Angels, a two-act play exploring the aftermath of the death of Grace’s husband. It starts out with much humour but gradually shifts into something
darker...
Twyford Drama is delighted to announce the arrival of its autumn production for 2024. As memories of ‘The Mr. Misty Mystery’ start to fade away, so the dark comedy of October’s ‘Entertaining Angels’ comes into view. This masterpiece, by Richard Everett, is the next production in Twyford Drama’s exciting 2024 theatre season.
The play’s Director, Frank Kaye, having already selected his cast and crew, is getting revved up for the forthcoming rehearsals and set- building sessions, which commence in early June. After a career as an actor, Frank transitioned into directing, having achieved his Masters at Royal Holloway and undertaken the professional direction of ‘Faustaff’ in Mexico City. Frank is a talented, long-standing member of Twyford Drama and has directed many plays over the years during his time with the group, including ‘Loot’ in 2018 and ‘Ladies’ Day’ in 2022.
‘Entertaining Angels’ is set in the modern garden of a vicarage where the incumbent vicar has just passed away. The play centres on the efforts of the widow’s family to persuade her to move, and allow the new vicar to take the reins. Initial humour yields to a mesh of more serious, darker themes, which is where the play gains its power.
Richard Everett’s drama is funny, touching and genuinely thought-provoking, carrying some real emotion. It is a work that will trigger laughter, yet simultaneously affect its audience with its profoundness; the playwright pulls off this two-pronged approach masterfully. A real hit!
A Creation Story: Review of Twyford Drama’s ‘Entertaining Angels’ progress
Twyford Drama’s small cast of five are now progressing well with rehearsals for Richard Everett’s ‘Entertaining Angels’, an excellent play, brought to prominence by Penelope Keith’s iconic portrayal of the lead character, Grace, in 2006 at The Chichester Festival Theatre.
We have a highly talented cast with two new, but very experienced, actresses: Sandra Miall (Grace) and Caroline White (Jo). The other members of the team are Beth Reynolds, Jo Davis and Mike Higgins. We are having a great time getting our heads around the ins and outs of the script, which is a huge contrast to our recent production of ‘The Mister Misty Mystery’. There are entrances and exits galore which enhances the early humour but provides significant shifts of gear as the plot unfolds. Each of the characters has their own ‘back story’, which gives the cast much to ponder over as their individual portrayals develop.
The set is simple, given that it doesn’t change throughout the play; there are, however, two scenes overlaid on top of each other, which presents a challenge. Essentially the scene is a garden with a house on one side of the stage and a greenhouse on the other, accentuated by an upstage stream at the front. Both lighting and set designers are having enormous fun exploring the different ways of presenting the scenes.
Sound has opportunities for some interesting transitions and whilst the costumes are modern day, they are complemented by a host of interesting props.
Frank Kaye is directing the production, ably assisted by his Assistant Director, Viv Williamson. This dynamic duo are now approaching the exciting juncture where their cast begin to own the play, their roles developing and transitioning as they begin to settle into their lines.
… All in all, a brilliant play beginning to shape up as a unique production.
