"This was a delightful
way to spend lunchtime on a wintry day. I watched six short plays of
variety and quality by members of the Writers at Oxford Playhouse Group
performed by seven gifted actors of average height from the Oxford Actors
Network. The plays were all interesting and engaged the audience that
had crowded into the Circle Bar at the Playhouse. The first one, Waiting
for God Knows What by David Olsen even brought the audience into the
action, questioning existentially what we were all doing there/here.
This was followed by the eponymous Waiting, by Gwilym Scourfield, a
sad vignette about pregnant Maria, who was waiting in vain for her fiancé
to return from some theatre of war. The next one up, The Intricate Workings
of a Sherbet Lemon by Stuart Lee, clearly had the catchiest title, and
was probably the most cleverly scripted: it is a tale of a railway station
waiting room murder with a bittersweet ending (sorry!). Bettys
Bakery Shop by Diana Moore featured the formidable Betty, a fierce shopkeeper
about whom I should like to know more, if only for the dubious recipe
of her Scotch Pies. Then The Lonely Stranger by Sue North, another thoughtful
piece, which carefully followed the creative writing mantra by showing
and not telling in an all-too-brief glimpse into the alienation of homelessness.
Finally, we were given We Carry On by Joel Kaye, an upsetting but powerful
piece about infidelity and betrayal, which was very moving. It is quite
amazing how much can be put across to an audience in such a short time.
The plays were skilfully directed by Sarah Dodd and Gerard Robinson.
I rejoined the hubbub
of Oxford after just over an hour of splendid entertainment, reflecting
that I could warmly recommend future Playbites to readers. The cost
of admission (just a fiver) included a good sandwich and a passable
coffee. The next one is on 3rd of April at 1.00pm.
Phil Bloomfield, 03/02/09"