Brief Encounter: Heath Players

IT takes some ambition to take on a film that was voted the second best British film of the 20th century.

It is also ambitious to take on a play that is set in one room, a railway cafe on Milford Junction.

This production succeeded on several levels. The first being the stand out performances by Jordyn Linklater (Alec) and Chrissie Fordham (Laura).

Chrissie’s classic features were made for this role and she performed the role perfectly.

Every doubt, every uncertainty, every cautious word was communicated to the audience. This was greatly helped by the direction (Steve Foster) and the lighting (Mike and Thomas Penketh). It literally and figuratively put her in the spotlight.

Jordan was a bundle of academic passion as he fell in love with Laura. He swept into each scene in his mac and Gladstone bag. Again, he acts with his eyes and draws us in. He moves through the gears seamlessly.

One of the other stars was the set. the deep red colours made you feel you were entering a forties movie as well as a forties cafe.

There was great use of authentic ushers as you entered the theatre.

Yes, this is in many ways a two hander but the other actors really played their part. Their characters were so complete. Becky Vincent’s Myrtle and Lee Barnes’ Albert were very effective light relief but that was the point.

As was Thomas Mace’s Stanley and Rosalea Hall’s Beryl. They were a wonderful display of youth. Rosalea in particular had a mature calm about her.

There were als a couple of excellent cameos. Both Jonathan Whitmore’s Stephen and Ginny Elliston-Madden’s Dotty both stole the particular scenes they were in.

Again, great direction by Steve Foster, to get the most out of them.

Laura Jesson lived a life of crushing disappointment. As she said: “a stranger in her own house”. Chrissie’s face in the spotlight will Iive long in the memory.

Well done to all. This was a braver move than many will appreciate. There was probably more work behind the scenes than we will all know but we heartily recommend this wonderful piece of theatre as part of the wide canon of work by Heath Players.

Continues through to Saturday.

https://www.ticketsource.com/heathplayers