BD wrote: “I found Plaza Suite to be a delightful play – sometimes very funny, sometimes thought provoking but at all times a very good evening’s entertainment.
Publicity #1: Plaza Suite
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data:
Text Header: Wick plans Plaza Suite
Text: Content
PREPARATIONS are steaming ahead for Wick Theatre’s production of The Plaza Suite, an American comedy by Neil Simon.
Work on the set has been completed, and the company are hoping to approach The Metrolpole Hotel for the loan of some bell-boy costumes to finish of the authenticity.
Suite
Set in the present day, the play contains three stories of different characters who spend time in a particular suite at The Plaza Hotel.
They are a middle-aged couple, a Hollywood director and his childhood sweetheart and a reluctant bride. Each story consists of humerous situations centered around the three sets of people. It is being produced by Mrs Betty Dawes, a longstanding member of the Wick Company.
Walter Matthau starred in a film version of the play.
Enjoyable
Press officer Mrs Margaret Ockenden said, ‘I think it will be a thoroughly enjoyable evening. It’s very funny, but certainly the first play has a rather sad under-current.’ She added that the subject matter was of adult interest, and would not suggest it was for children.
The Plaza Suite will run from April 27 – May 1 at the Barn Theatre, Southwick.
Pictured above, by Phil Wigglesworth are, left to right – Sally Pumford, Rosemary Biggs and Brian Moulton in a scene from Plaza Suite.
Publicity #2: Plaza Suite
Publication: Unknown
Publication Data: Unknown
Text: Content
THE Wick Theatre Company’s last production of the season is Neil Simon’s three-act comedy Plaza Suite.
The play is being produced by the company’s preseident Betty Dawes who was a founder member in 1948.
Plaza Suite is three separate one-act plays all set in a hotel.
Pictured above left are Miranda and Barrie Bowen i one scene, and right, Ralph Dawes, Amanda Dawes and Daphne Thornton in another.
Company secretary Peter Joyce said: “This is an unusual production of the play because there are different people in each of the scenes. Usually the same actors play the main roles in each act. Also there has been a mix and match between long-standing members and newer ones. That was we get as many people involved as possible.”
Plaza Suite is being performed at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, frrom April 27 – May 1.
Review #1: Plaza Suite
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data:
Reviewer: Graham Oulds
Text Header: “The bride who said no…”
Text: Content
Illicit affairs and tormenting relationships abide in Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite, currently being performed by the Wick Theatre Company at the Barn Theatre, Southwick. It is, in fact, three plays, each about the life of a guest in the Plaza Hotel, New York.
A middle-aged American couple return on their wedding anniversary, cunningly arranged by the wife, convincingly portrayed by Rosemary Biggs – all set for a replay of that magical night 23 years ago. Brian Moulton is too British but comes across well as her fiery husband. He is clearly not nostalgic. The tense atmosphere culminates in heated arguments and a confession to an affair with his secretary, played by Sally Pumford.
A Hollywood film director checks in for the second act. There is a nice performance from Barrie Bowen who fared better with the accent if not his words on the first night. After three unsuccessful marriages he meets up with his plain and innocent early sweetheart, characterised most enjoyably by Miranda Bowen. There is some interesting psychology on how a negative approach can be positive in wooing a man.
The final play revolves around the bathroom door where a bride-to-be has deliberately locked herself in. Daphne Thornton is superb as the anxious mother and Ralph Dawes rages commendably as the cost-conscious father. Both spend the entire act threatening, cajoling and enticing their daughter to come out. The bridegroom [Peter Joyce] however holds the real key. The humour and tragedy of the situation come across beautifully.
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