The blurb on the flyers announced that the dynamic and well-loved local theatrical group, Rye Players, would be doing a play called Book Club by Kate Bromage, and advised the audiences to: “Grab your wine, nibbles and notebooks and get ready to join Linda and her fellow ‘book clubbers’ as they attempt to dissect the literary classics, over the course of twelve months. This gentle comedy explores the idiosyncrasies of a group of random acquaintances brought together through Linda’s heavy persuasion by their love or mild interest of books!”
However it did not warn you that you would have a total ball watching it and would experience a rollercoaster of emotions.
It was skilfully directed by Pat Driver who has the ability to produce plays worthy of the West End. There was, as always a superb cast: Susan, played by Xan Kite, Linda by Arabella Ansar, Gemma by Hayley-Marie Axe, James by Richard Moore, Bob by Lawrence Wilson and the reader Ruth Gibson.
Lawrence Wilson who played Bob, of ‘Bob’s not here’ fame wrote this wonderful poem. It sums it up perfectly.
Creating the play—a handshake, a giggle
a dive into the depths of creation, and then
rising to the surface with a handful of glitter
something to scatter, to share, to delve.
And you have to wonder—who can do this?
Anyone? Some? Few? Special? None?
Who can grasp the nothingness of words and twist it into deep-breathed reality?
So we did it. And we did it well. And the audience applauded.
Laughed at the right places, cried when they were supposed to cry.
We did this to them. Deliberately. They agreed to the doing.
It’s the unspoken exchange, the contract, the consent
We will pretend to feel it, and they will pretend to believe that we are feeling.
And at the curtain call we shall all enjoy more than what we started with.
Kate Bromage, who wrote this superb play, came to the second performance last Saturday and was bowled over. She was thrilled that Rye Players were putting on her play and watching it gave her a “kick up the bum” and a need to “crack on” with more writing.
The response from the audiences has been nothing but overwhelming for Pat and the cast and luckily for those who missed it, it will be performed again later this year as a fundraiser for the Ferry Road Nursery.
Plans are under way for the town panto. What a year they’re having! Follow on social media or contact via email at ryeplayers@btinternet.com.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Kt bruce .