TT - 26 An Entertaining Evening

Tony Styles, Editor, Reporter and Photographer for the Tendringhoe and Chasmundham News knows the rules when it comes to reviewing amateur productions: just enough criticism to make it credible then unadulterated praise from there on in. So it is that Eric Briding, as he stands at the makeshift bar in the foyer of the Reginald Spurgeon Hall, is still glowing from “Captures Perry’s pomposity perfectly”, “a decent first attempt at a principal part…” and “ a wholly entertaining evening.” Having taken a dreadful bollocking from Meg on the opening night for saying “Sorry Ann, I didn’t quite catch that” to the prompt, he feels quite exonerated. Alison too is pleased with “Alison Carduggan, as the vapid, twittering Felicity, provided some unexpected comic moments.”

It is true that they are both slightly niggled by the totally disproportionate amount of praise that has been heaped onto ‘undoubtedly the star of the show’ Gordon Green. In their opinion, Gordon’s was a rather clownish performance, based principally on much ad libbed ‘business’ with his trousers, that did nothing to enhance the development of the plot and a great deal to upstage the rest of the cast. Nonetheless, in the general after-show buzz they are all the best of friends and are certainly more interested in each other than they are in the friends and relatives who have turned up to give their support.

“Did you like the way I stood in front of Perry when talking to Hugh at the cocktail party.” Alison asks Douglas.
“Hmmm, very good, dear.”
“Yes, I thought that was quite a telling moment. Quite poignant.”
“Absolutely.” Douglas has no idea what she is talking about. Like everyone else, his attention at that moment had been on Gordon who had thrown himself onto the couch with such force that he had tipped it over backwards, ending up sprawled beneath it. What had made this even more hilarious was that, judging from the look of surprise on Gordon's face as he flipped backwards, it had been entirely unintended. His impromptu decision to deliver his next line comically from within the upturned piece of furniture had met with a foot-stamping cheer.

Alison, realising that she has milked all the praise that she is going to get out of her husband, wants to gravitate back towards the other cast members who still glow with self-congratulatory excitement. Douglas is trying to move in precisely the opposite direction. He is still extremely perturbed by Cleanth’s accusation. He is particularly anxious that Eric, once he realises that Douglas is being excluded from the Festival plans, will go digging around to try and find out why and, in the process, excavate the extraordinary slander. Douglas knows that for a man in his position any suggestion of sexual impropriety, particularly that kind of sexual impropriety, is a serious matter. The less people that come into contact with it the better, which means the longer he can put off discussing the festival with Eric the better. He is about to manoeuvre Alison just a little further away when feels a large hand clamp down on his shoulder.

“Reverend Carduggan!” It’s Gordon Green. “Enjoy the evening?”
“Oh Hello Gordon." Douglas lets out a little laugh. "Yes, yes, very much.” He leans back on his haunches and prepares to deliver a generous verdict.
“Good-good!” Gordon, who has already received more than enough love from the hilarified villagers, turns his attention to ‘his leading lady’.
“You were marvellous!” He says to Alison.
“Oh well, you were the star of the show” Alison says, and is annoyed to see that Gordon believes her.
“Oh darling! That’s so sweet of you! Bless you!”

“Gordon!” Val Green approaches closely enough to be within Gordon’s earshot, but not close enough to be drawn into the group.
“Hello Val.” Alison calls over.
“Oh hello Alison, hello Reverend.” Val, realising who Gordon is talking to, arranges her face into a more amenable expression and comes closer. She smiles at them obsequiously, “You were very good, Alison!”
“Oh, well, thank you!” Alison is delighted.
Val squeezes out another little smile in response then takes Gordon by the elbow and says more quietly “Are you getting me a drink or not...darling?

Gordon moves away with His Lovely Wife. There’s plenty more sharing of himself to be done at the bar and he can get Val off his back with a G&T at the same time. He propels Val in front of him . “Anything you desire sweet love of my life!” he proclaims, beaming, and without changing his facial expression adds, sotto voce, "And here's hoping you choke on the slice!"