BHAC : 1994

Review #1:
Publication: Words & Music
Publication Data: January 1995
Correspondent: Shirley Stanwell
Text: Content

O, for the old days of Deus ex machina! This classical tale required Zeus [Deek Fraser] and Hera [Rosemary Brown] to sit throughout, on either side of the proscenium arch, displaying concentration and an ability not to distract the focus of the scene on stage. The two managed this task marvellously, even when interference from the harbour came over the amplification system! Their interlude dance while the set was changed was a little over-long and uneasy, but their constant disagreemenst provided fun with ironic, modern, domestic parallels.

Ideally cast were the hunk, Hercules [Matthew Bartlett] and the weakling, Theseus [Samir Rahim], a double act seeking to achieve the jewelled belt owned by the Amazon queen, Antiape [Claire Wiggins] and her royal sister, Diasta [Jo Chalk], who lacked the stature, but made up for it with amusing exchanges. The vision of Diasta dressed in armour, under the influence of Hera, made a delightful contrast to the earlier, languid version. Daphne Thornton as the comic blacksmith turned sergeant major, Hippobomene certainly had the weight and strength required, if not the height.

Slow cues were occasionally in evidence, and though the play had been cut, it was still slightly overlong. The overall standard of acting and direction was excellent. The sunny settings provided an ideal background for this, a thirty year-old comedy, well worth reviving.

Review #2:
Publication: Wick Newsletter
Publication Data: January 1995
Editor: Charles Porter
Text Header: Rape Rewarded!
Text: Content

The Wick tradition of success in the Brighton and Hove Drama Competition was maintained at Hove Town Hall when Margaret Ockenden’s production of The Rape of the Belt came away with two awards. Margaret picked up a salver and certificate as Best Director and Samir Rahim was judged Best Comedy Performer by adjudicator Nick Young.

The Overall Best Production cup passed from Wick to The Rottingdean Players for their production of The Accrington Pals. New Venture were runners up with Best of Friends and the Southwick Players picked up Best Set for Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime.

Adjudicator Nick Young started by giving an amusing and informative talk, including many anecdotes about the theatre – both amateur and professional. He made a strong point about the value of not using a prompt and encouraged each group to pursue this policy with their next show. If Bob doesn’t take the plunge for Romeo, Samir has every intention of doing so for Outside Edge!

Each show was then commented upon, with Nick praising Margaret on her direction and picking out Samir Rahim, Matthew Bartlett, Claire Wiggins, Jane Porter and Derek Fraser as strong performers. He mentioned that the overall style of the show was good but slightly interrupted by the dance by Hera and Zeus which was used to cover a scene change.

Once again we came away with two awards and with Margaret Ockenden directing Les Liaisons Dangereuses for us next year, we have some strong material to work with to seek further success – and with any luck, get our Best Production cup back where it belongs – on a Wick mantlepiece.