At Hijinx Theatre |
| Hijinx Theatre company- Dreaming Amelia , Whitchurch High School , September 24, 2002 |
| Give Hijinx Theatre some bits of string a few scaffolding poles and several old bed sheets and you can be sure they’ll come up with yet another intriguing and very lively piece of theatre – real theatre. Sharon Morgan describes her sometimes beautifully written script as a ’fairy story‘ but there are many moments of reality in it that most of us have come across in our daily lives. The only indisputable fact in this story is that pioneering American airwoman Amelia Earhart did land on the beach in Burry Port at the end of the first flight across the Atlantic by a woman! That dancing little Betty Parry was skipping around on the beach at the time is a leap of imagination we are all happy to make with this captivating cast at the beginning of the play. Sharon Morgan talks of her play as using artistic integrity as a metaphor for personal integrity “to thine own self be true”. Sharon, herself is an artist of the utmost integrity. A very successful actress particularly in Welsh Language Theatre and Television, one of a band of Welsh artists that have committed themselves to working in Wales to see great theatre work grow strong here when they might well have found even great ‘fame‘ abroad. She started from a similar back ground as Betty Parry portrayed with a quiet shining by the multi-talented Sian McDowall, who her heroines were we don’t know but Betty gets caught up with Amelia’s story when they meet on the beach. Her courage inspires little dancing Betty to break away from her home where she is ignored and despised by her war-drunk stepfather. Actor David Lyndon needs to lower the volume a touch on this character but as postman Brian and Broadway agent Lou he is spot on. Betty is given some naïve encouragement by her slightly youthful mother Rose. This is an almost impossible task for actress Jessica Sandy who has to leave the stage as the elderly mother to reappear only moments later as the thrusting and inspiring Amelia. She is much more at home in this role, bearing a clear resemblance to the real Amelia we see in photos in the publicity display. What her Rose may lack in age he makes up for in the love and understanding she gives to her daughter. Betty dances her way up the ladder with dancing lesson for ‘Madame’ a ‘Russian’ exile in Burry Port performed with a rare and dignified beauty by Kath Dimery who plays an equally enigmatic Martha Graham and gritty Broadway dresser Shirley. All characters that Betty meets on her road to success, which culminates in leading roles on the Broadway Stage. Sian McDowall’s mastery of Betty’s improving dancing skill is immaculate and always skilfully underscored. The play could have ended on this high note. Sophisticated successful Betty takes a good look at herself and the superficial Show Biz world she has landed in. ‘To thine own self be true’ She …..But I’m not giving the ending away. This was an exciting work, a real collaboration between writer, director, and cast with fitting music from Paula Gardiner, design by Sid Scott and Allison Callaghan, effective lighting by Ceri James and well developed choreography from June Campbell-Davies Gaynor Lougher Artistic Director and her Hijinx Company are dedicated to taking high quality professional theatre to communities throughout Wales. In this she succeeds very well. This play with these actors would sit well on the stage of any of our leading producing theatres. If it comes your way go and see it! |
Reviewed by: Michael Kelligan |
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