28 • Visit us @ www.ChampNews.com CMB The <strong>Champion</strong> • Wednesday 30 January 20131116107
A <strong>Champion</strong> <strong>Newspapers</strong> DirectoryThe <strong>Champion</strong> • Wednesday 30 January 2013ENTERTAINMENTSDC’s Good Things play‘meandered on aimlessly’Good ThingsSouthport Dramatic ClubSouthport Little TheatreReview by Ron EllisTHE action takes place in a typicalcharity shop run by the bolshieMarjorie (Dyan Ensenat) with theassistance of Fraser (Giles Davidson)and Susan (Trudi Hirsch). So typicaland well–stocked in fact that I wouldhave liked to have bought a couple ofthe items displayed.Susan’s husband, Tony (RobertJones) has left her for a youngerwoman and, after giving up oncounselling and speed dating (whereshe attracted a stalker), she decides toturn to internet dating to findromance. The first ten minutes of theplay is taken up by a virtualmonologue as she ponders aloud to abored looking Fraser how she willdescribe herself to prospectiveadmirers.Fraser prefers counselling. It helpedhim when his dear mother died.Indeed, he recommends it to David(Barry Johnson), who comes into theshop to donate a jumble of effectsbelonging to his recently deceasedwife. What a sad lot they are. Fraserhas lost his mother, Barry has lost hiswife, Susan has lost her husband andher Dad (Ed Robinson) has lost hismarbles, an affliction which seems tohave affected Ed’s other role as‘scruffy old man’.The one bright spark in the play isprovided by Helen Pritchard whogives a spirited performance asNatalie, who comes into the shopladen with designer goods and turnsout to be Tony’s mistress, thoughwhat she ever sees in the bovine Tonyis a total mystery.The play becomes a series of trivialintrospections and inconsequentialchit–chat, interrupted by irrelevantevents like the never–seen stalkerbeing mown down by a bus outsidethe shop which adds nothing to theplot.We are aware that Fraser and Davidboth fancy Susan but none of theiremotions are examined in depth andthe play meanders on aimlessly withno obvious goal in sight.Ann Richards is seen fleetingly as awell–dressed lady; Simon Hawkinsdoubles as a policeman and a floristwhilst Sabrina Regazzoni is bothCMBHelena (David’s daughter–in–law)and a WPC.Pat Simpkin has a nice cameo,wandering in and out of the shop asScotch Doris, a dotty bag lady, whodisappears into the changing roomtrying unsuccessfully to make asuccession of outlandish clothescircumnavigate her swelling waist. Asher name implies, she boasts a curiousScottish accent, something which isalso attempted by Marjorie andFraser. Luckily, the lady sitting in theseat adjoining mine was fromMotherwell so she was able totranslate for me.The Celtic influence is explained bythe playwright being Liz Lochhead,who is the national poet of Scotlandand regarded by many as a dramatistof some renown.Obviously they never saw this play.Watching it was like standingimpatiently at the supermarketcheckout listening to the person infront blethering to the till girl,oblivious of the queue behind.Interesting for a few minutes but nomore.Star Rating: 6 out of 10. A play moresuited to a village hall than the theatre.THEATRESThe UkuleleAlbumAvailable NowIN CONCERTVisit us @ www.ChampNews.com • 29PETE BROWN • PHIL CAPALDIBEN LEE • MIKE NICHOLSwww.joebrown.co.ukPRESENTED BY DEREK NICOL & PAUL WALDEN FOR FLYING ENTERTAINMENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH JOHN TAYLORFri 22ndFeb 7:30pm0844 871 3021Theatre Box Office open Mon-Sat 11am-4pm for counter sales1116038HOLIDAYSWant moreexperts?CHECK-OUT YOURLITTLE BLACK BOOK2012ADL1109398TRANSPORTManchester & SpekeAirportsfrom £68 RETURNOTHER DESTINATIONS AVAILABLEAVAILABLE 24 HOURS(01704) 22974607505 217579TOM’SMINIBUS TRIPS8,12 & 16 SeatersAirports from £70 returnALL OCCASIONS UNDERTAKENHen/Stag Nights, Race DaysCONTRACTS WELCOME01695 5198707725 1174241116147Dick Whittington and His Cat by the West end Players.West End Players to finish panto runTHE final performances ofthis year’s West EndPlayers’ pantomime, ‘DickWhittington and His Cat’will take place thisweekend. Written byDouggie Chapman, theshow will hit the stage atLord Street West ChurchHall in Duke Street onA STORY about saving the theatre in a quaintseaside town will be the next film to bescreened at Parbold Picture House.The community–run cinema in Parbold, WestLancashire said will be show ‘In Love withAlma Cogan’, set in a quiet seaside resort on thecoast of Norfolk, this Sunday, February 3, from7pm.The film, shot on location in the real–liferesort of Cromer, focuses on the fadingfortunes of the town’s theatre, which is popularCode NAFriday (February 1) andSaturday (February 2) at7.30pm.There will be a matinee at2.15pm on the Saturday.Cinema to screen seaside dramaSOUTHPORT’S LatinLounge will welcome TheJazz Hounds for a for aFebruary 12 performance,as part of its ‘OccasionalJazz’ series. The group willplay 1920s and 1930smusic, mixed with style andfun at the venue.Starting at 7.30pm,with locals and holidaymakers alike but is stilllosing money. A former local returns from lifein London to help inject new life into thevenue’s winter programme, but there arequestions about whether the theatre’s saviour,who owes money left, right, and centre, reallyhas honourable intentions.Tickets for the showing cost £3. For moreinformation and to book your tickets, go onlineto www.parbold.info or call 01257 464533.Jazz Hounds to perform at Latin Loungeadmission is £10 includingrefreshments.For tickets call Pam on01704 539498, or Jen on01704 229179.CRUISE <strong>SALE</strong> NOW ON11 nights – 3 rd May 2013Boudicca – D1308Inside cabin fromBrochure price £1,119ppSale price £899ppOutside cabin fromBrochure price £1,279ppSale price £1,049ppSail fromLiverpoolAt Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, we believe cruising should be a relaxing experience fromstart to finish – which is why we offer convenient departures from your local port.Sailing from and/or returning to Liverpool you can start you holiday at sea with ease.Iberian Capitals of CultureLisbonPortimãoLiverpoolLa CorunaVigoLeixoes (Oporto)Sail fromLiverpoolBook now and save 50% on our All Inclusive upgrade Call Broadbent Travel on 01704 574 141*All bookings are subject to availability and to Fred. Olsen’s standard Terms and Conditions, available on the website. Cruise Sale started04/01/13, cannot be applied retrospectively, is subject to availability and closes 28/02/13. Discounts vary and are up to 25% on Insidecabins and up to 20% on Outside cabins, on selected cruises. Savings quoted are based against the Fred. Olsen Cruises Worldwide 2013/14brochure prices. Please see website for full offer terms and conditions. All inclusive upgrade offer covers selectedbeers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, subject to availability. Tours, tips, premium drinks, medical facilities and otheroptional spend, during travel to the ship and while on board, are not included. Any additional expenditure will needto be paid separately. E&OE.1115738
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