"Out Of Focus" by Peter Gordon.

Beeston Players.

Round Hill School, Beeston.

One thing that you come to realise with Beeston Players is that they have the ability to choose plays that, not only are not over performed in the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire area, but plays that play to the group's strengths. This is another play that ticks those boxes that make Beeston Players the drama company that everyone knows and loves. This is also the reason why their audience base is forever growing, and remain loyal.

So, what is "Out Of Focus" all about?

Helen has arrived at the Church Hall with her troupe of Brownies in tow. 

Kath and Bob arrive ready for their planned badminton game amidst their own marital quarrels about Bob’s secretary Linda, who also arrives ready to play, with ladies’ man Wayne not far behind. 

David and Sue show up for the big game even though Leonard insists he has booked the hall for an illustrated talk on steam locomotives and Evonne, the vicar's wife who has just recently took over the responsibility of the booking system, is certain she has arranged for the rehearsal of her very first pantomime. 

Confusion reigns until everyone eventually unites for a common cause, the production of the pantomime. Over the weeks, alliances are formed and switched as they all battle against the odds and the opening night for the panto nears. 

Bob and Kath’s marital troubles continue, with Linda in the middle. 

Helen, in between staging walk-outs, is in pursuit of David, although he only has eyes for Sue. 

Wayne is out to impress anyone who will listen, while Leonard rapidly bores everybody into submission. 

Events finally culminate during Leonard’s talk at the final night party, when Evonne finds her confidence, Helen her come-uppance and everyone else receives their just desserts.

Helen Beever, who is one of those bitter and bossy people who likes to take charge of everything, but when things go wrong, it's everyone else's fault, is played by Alison Williams. How Alison doesn't crack a smile playing this role is a mystery, because she certainly put a smile on my face; maybe because I have known people like this over the years and recognise those qualities. I've seen Alison in several Beeston Players productions over the years, and she really corners the market in this type of character, and she does it so well.

Sue Dixon, played by Nicola Adkin, is immediately the victim of mistaken identity by Helen, even though she has only arrived for a game of badminton. Another fun and positive role brought to life by Nicola.

Sue Frost plays Evonne Duckworth, who is a bundle of nerves due to the over booking, afraid to bother her husband the Vicar, Donald Duckworth, as he is always busy writing his sermon. Evonne's nervous energy is brilliant to experience, but by the final scene, we see a completely different, and more self-confident Vicar's wife, not entirely off the back of the panto "success". Sue is always a joy to watch in any role she plays and this is another character filled part for Sue to get her comedy teeth into.

 Ali Parnham is Kath Enfield. The issues with her marriage is that she doesn't trust her husband, Bob, who has recently announced that he is off to a work's conference and is taking his secretary Linda. Most of Bob and Kath's scenes include bickering and arguing about this very issue, but there's a turn around in this relationship which creates a happy ending for both, although there are a few bumps in their marital road. Ali is wonderfully volatile as Kath, and she gets some wonderfully violent confrontations with Bob.

Bob Enfield  is played by Sean Knowles. Poor Bob tries his very best to explain the situation with his secretary and why he wasn't so keen on Kath actually being there for the badminton match, alongside Linda. Sean is a really expressive actor with great projection, and both these qualities are well utilised for Bob.

Tom Jenkins plays Leonard Trotter, the steam enthusiast. Now, even though Trotter could bore the pants off of a naturist where steam locomotives are concerned, he does find that acting is another outlet for his passions, which also includes photography, and that passion also creates the final blow up! Tom is another actor of whom I've seen several times in Beeston Players' productions, and I think that this is one of my favourite roles that he has played.

Callum Scott makes his debut, not just for Beeston Players, but anywhere as an adult playing the ladies man, Wayne Bryant. Wayne is the original action man, a secret member of the SAS, which he doesn't keep that secret, especially when impressing the ladies, but is all his bravado regarding his success with the ladies, his flash cars and endless cash supply just a front? Callum seems to be one of those actors who just naturally takes to acting because if I hadn't known that this was his first stage role, I would certainly not have guessed as he is brimming with confidence and is so at ease on stage. I have seen newbies on stage in the past with a cast of actors who have been acting for decades and they have stuck out, but Callum blended so well with this seasoned cast that you would never have guessed. As a stage debut, this is probably one of the best, and most confident I've seen.

David Wright is played by Kevin Fairbrother. David is a policeman who thinks that he is there to play table tennis, but not only does he attract the attentions of Helen, but also Sue. David gets cast as the Cat in the pantomime, and the costume is brilliant. Although he doesn't get to play table tennis, he does get his own love match b y the end of the play. Kevin has an air of authority in his acting which makes you believe that he is an officer of the law, even without the uniform.

Linda Hammond, Bob's secretary, is played by Karen Livesey. Linda is a flirt and soon turns her attention to Wayne, his muscles and tattoos, and the strange thing is that, while she starts flirting for the wrong reasons, she actually brings out the real Wayne. It's nice to see Karen back on stage with the Beeston Players, as I don't think I've seen her on stage for about six years.

Directed by Paul Langston, he brings out the absurd in this Peter Gordon play. The confusion mounts steadily enough for us to be introduced to the various characters. The casting of these characters is also spot on, and Paul clearly knows the strengths of his cast and brings out those strengths through the characters.

The set, which is in the annex of a Church Hall, is designed by Sam Williams, which includes a kitchen area with coffee making facilities and exit points showing how to get to the rear of the Church Hall, the entrance as well as to the hall itself and the changing rooms. Some nice wall adornments also show that this is a Church Hall annexe - the cross on the wall and relative posters.

Sound design is also by Sam with some well timed effects creating that world outside the building.

Lighting is by Laura Burke. Simple and straight forward design is all that is needed and that is what we received.

Costumes are thanks to Barbara Barton. The panto costumes are brilliant, as is Helen's Brownie leader costume. The style of costumes are also well observed differentiating the ages between Wayne, who is the youngest character in the play, and the more mature characters.

There are many props in this play, well sourced by Gary Frost, Ali Parnham and Helen Nankervis.

With this involving pantomime, there's the element of make up for the pantomime performance, and the make up, and hair throughout is by Maxine Taylor.

Good stage management meant that the scene changes were carried out quickly and smoothly by Stage Manager, Gary Frost.

Production Manager is Nina Tunnicliffe.

As I said at the start, Beeston Players know what works well for them and what their audience appreciate, and this play is well chosen. Peter Gordon's plays always manage to entertain and amuse, which is why they are often chosen for local theatre groups to perform, and in the hands of a good cast make for an entertaining and fun evening out. Not only that, but you have to wait until right until the very last line to give clarity to the play's title.

"Out Of Focus" is at Round Hill School until Saturday 17 May, when there's a matinee performance only available.