This is the latest brilliant offering From Wrington Drame Group.
It was meant to be outdoors but due to the unpredictable weather, it was moved at the last minute to St Mary’s Church in Langford.
“One Million Tiny Plays About Britain” is a unique collection of short sketches that capture the essence of everyday life in the UK. The author, Craig Taylor, has created a series of micro-playlets, some just a few seconds long, that coalesce into a layered, comic, moving portrait of everyday life in the UK.
The small cast of six actors played all the characters, very ably directed by Louise Maitland-Round, and the whole thing was produced by Julie Plant. They both played parts in this fast-moving production of twenty short scenes, all set in various parts of Britain. Each play is like a snapshot of conversations you hear in everyday life.
These tiny plays are snapshots of life in the UK, featuring a wide range of characters and situations.
The author, Craig Taylor, has created a series of micro-playlets, some just a few seconds long, that coalesce into a layered, comic, moving portrait of everyday life in the UK. These tiny plays are snapshots of life in the UK, featuring a wide range of characters and situations. For instance, an employee speaking to a member of the IT helpdesk, at a company in Belfast. How familiar is this?? Or, an elderly person who finally managed to get an appointment to see a doctor in his surgery, who, not surprisingly, has problems with the NHS computer system.
They touch on some of the country’s most pressing issues, including the strained NHS, the problems of drinking amongst the younger generation, and loneliness among an aging population. The plays are laugh-out-loud funny and yet sometimes heartbreakingly moving.
This must have been a very difficult play to stage, but the expertise of all the actors, Jasper Badger, Jon Duke, Louise Maitland-Round, Zoe Maitland-Round, Pauline Neary, Julie Plant, Becky Rubridge and Flossy the Cat ( a small part and didn’t say a lot), The Backstage crew, Richard Kingcott, Barry Sale, Julie Kingcott and Mark Neary. Not forgetting Chris Parnham as prompt, but she had nothing to do.
A special mention for the director Louis. This is the first time she has directed and on the second night celebrated her 21st birthday!! I presume she will be celebrating properly at some stage, although I haven’t had an invite yet!!
All in all, a thoroughly entertaining evening and a credit to all involved.
Trevor Parnham
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