Packed houses greeted another smash hit from the Braidwood Music Club at the Servicemen's Club last weekend. The Show was produced by Darren Rowley who also was a very convincing lead, playing Philip Markham a very highly strung children's book publisher. The Director was Kylie Coe who did an amazing job organising just about everything from direction, running the sound board for stage effects and rearranging last minute seating to fit the throng who presented at the club, great to see Barry Waters legacy continue through Kylie and another star, her brother, Gordon Waters.
The Show was set in 1974 in a flat in Sydney although the large number of references to iconic Braidwood businesses made one assume that the Markhams of Sydney must have a hobby farm in the Braidwood District!
Director Coe handled the amazing pace of the script with great skill with stand out performances by Angela Casey who revealed superb acting skills and stagecraft as Mrs Markham while Darren Rowley gave his best performance yet as the studious, stressed book publisher, Philip Markham.
For many Daniell Vardanega was the hit of the night playing the metrosexual, randy interior decorator, Alistair Spenlow - his timing and movement skills were amazing as was the speed of his replies. He showed great courage in getting his kit off on stage in front of family, friends and mates from Braidwood Rugby Club at the Ex Servicemen's Club.
Gordon Waters played a convincing lusty business partner to Markham, who got tied up in his adulterous intentions with the pressure of work and leisure. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. His wife played by Alex Rofe was another convincing would be adultress and she backed up as the second German au pair showing great language skills.
Cheryl Clarke played another superb cameo role as the au pair girl, her chemistry with Vardanega was a treat, her coquettish movement around the stage a delight.
Frank Exon and Beck Hunt were very urgent in their need for l'amour and were fabulous in their roles and they added much to the confusion at the flat. Veteran actress Natalie Densley played the role of the Olive Harriet Smythe the mega Children's author who Markham and Lodge tried to sign up to contract amidst the mayhem of competing lust, three sets of would be lovers and adulterers all trying to use the Vardanega designed oval bed with its accompanying floral bidet at the Markham flat!
The five back stage crew must not be left out, the set was great and all went very professionally, they all helped produce a great evenings entertainment. Darren Rowley must be singled out as he moves north, he has led the club, been closely involved in play selection, stage set work and has always taken a lead role in productions. His passion, charm and boyish enthusiasm will be missed.
Well done everyone, we loved the show! More please.
Martin Pitt