Alphabetical Order

Painswick Players "get it in order"!

Regular playgoers witnessed the development of this talented group, in the production of Michael Frayn's comedy, Alphabetical Order.  I went on the final night, which was very well attended by an appreciative audience.  The all round achievement by the Painswick Players is astonishing.  Congratulations to Alasdair King, making his début as director, whose confidence in putting on this challenging play was well rewarded.  Thank you, Alasdair, for your imaginative, excellent and enjoyable production.

The play opens to a chaotic scene in the disorganised library of a provincial newspaper.  We meet the characters working for the struggling paper and witness the changes in their lives that come about as result of new assistant librarian's super-efficiency.  The filing system is in complete alphabetical dis-order, re-order and finally utter chaos.

The stage, set and props teams accurately re-created the 1970's and the audience were obviously very impressed.  Thanks to Maggie Drake, Tony Gibson, Bill Gott and Charles Dorman for a great set.  Jackie Herbert took on a huge task finding props for a most convincing office.  Apart from preparing vast amounts of papers, she used real furniture some of which she acquired at auction and then enterprisingly recouped funds for the Painswick Players by selling to grateful members of the audience!  Jacek Woloweic masterfully co-ordinated lights and sound - the music was great and really set the scene.  Lynne Gibson and Ann Yates' costumes and make-up were authentic and really evocative of the era.

Lesley Wolowiec took the part of the humourless, tentative but quietly controlling new assistant librarian, which she played with great sensitivity and poise.  The much loved, disorganised, Librarian was played by Jean Burgess, performed brilliantly and so naturally.  Kevin Parker was the 'wordy', whimsical journalist, who he portrayed excellently, and with ease.  Jack Burgess captured the jolly, boyish, teasing role of the office messenger most convincingly.  The patronising features editor was a role that Gill Cox obviously enjoyed giving a confident and amusing performance.  Well done, to Benedict Kolczyski who in the part of the slow moving, alcoholic writer brought much laughter, and Andrew Leach who conveyed the just the right degree of sleaze as a waggish reporter.

The front of house and bar team, led by Jan Campbell, provided a warm welcome.  Thank you to Elaine Howell who, with Jan, worked hard to publicise the event.  The professionally produced and informative programmes were superb and we thank Kevin Parker for his artistic efforts.

It is amazing the amount of enthusiasm and energy that the cast and creative team can squeeze into their spare time to work on the play.  A big thank you to all involved.  If you were not fortunate to see this production, do watch out for future activities by the Painswick Players and come along, bring your friends and experience great, live, local entertainment.

Naomi Dunn