What an Awakening!

Regulars at the Day-Star Theatre's productions always know they are in for a treat when Audlem's local professional company presents its latest work.

The Awakening of Geoffrey Phelps was no exception, a play so moving that grown men were seen in tears at its conclusion – and that included the promoter, the mighty Hoc 19.

The most worldly-wide, battle hardened man might find his mother dying, losing his job of 37-years and being given notice of eviction from his flat – all in one day, and on his birthday too – a trifle hard to take. For quiet, timid Geoffrey Phelps, who has kept himself to himself throughout his mundane, friendless life, it exposes him for the first time to the cruel realities of today's world.

Pete and Jane Marshall play the six parts magnificently as the plot twists and builds to its inevitable climax. Each part is achieved with a small costume change – the rest is down to voice and facial expression and thoroughly convincing. You felt as if Jane, with the appropriate headgear, could have played a woman of any age from teen to dotage while Pete's portrayal of Geoffrey Phelps, in particular, attracted sympathy for a simple innocent man caught in a whirlwind of change not of his making.

The music, again a family affair, from Jack Marshall of Hollow Floor Studios, made the costume changes as engaging as the play itself while the organisers must be congratulated on turning the hall into the promised intimate theatre experience.

As the advanced notices said, this was "another bitter sweet look at everyday life". That it was, and judging by the play's reception last night, Day-Star Theatre fans will be impatient for lots more bitter and plenty of sweet. On this form, get your tickets for their next show as soon as they are on sale.

Next Production

Hoc 19 will presenting another production at the Scout & Guide Hall Theatre Café on Saturday 22nd June – Lee Hall's Spoonface Steinberg, originally written as a radio play on BBC Radio 4. Lee Hall is best known as the writer of Billy Elliot although Spoonface Steinberg attracted the most attention early in his career.

The production is by the Freerange Theatre Company of Norton in Hales – amazing that Audlem has two local professional companies – and their tour is supporting Children with Cancer UK.

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