Reviewer: Peter Kemp
Stage Whispers 2003

Sherbrooke Theatre presented a new play written by one of its own actors, Chris Hodson. Set the Traps is a story about a Gippsland family in a small town where abruptly one Saturday night he father Colin's attitude to life changes. What caused it? Why does he suddenly view his dysfunctional family in a new light?

A well structured play in which every one in the audience could identify with one of the characters or situations. This is Chris Hodson's first full length play after writing one acters. And if this is a sample we want more.

The director June Pope chose a cast which was well suited to the characters as written by Chris.

Gran was given a wonderful portrayal by Anne Simmons. Not an easy task as through most of the production she just sat eating jubes. But she had the attention of the audience throughout the whole performance.

Colin's wife Peggy was played by Maureen Allder. Peggy was disgruntled, fed up with the family with two grown children who would not leave home and one son who left under mysterious circumstances. Maureen carried the role with finesse and gave a fine performance. The son Craig was played by Tyson White. Tyson was well cast for the part and gave a good performance. His sister, Candy with whom he seemed to fight with all the time, was played by Emma Barber. Emma gave a good interpretation of the character and had a good rapport with Tyson.

Dad, who the mystery was all about, was played by Peter Humphreys. Peter caught the persona of such a person and his performance was exemplary. Christine Simmonds was Molly the next door neighbour. Christine caught the nervousness of the character and projected well. Candy's boyfriend Doug was played by Lyen Rouillon who really looked the part and handled the role with ease. Peg's rich sister up from the city and usually did not visit but this time on hearing the news about Colin immediately decided to visit, was played by Gail Buckley. Gail gave a good professional performance and was a good balance to Maureen Allder. A good evening with a well cast new Australian play which is hoped will be picked up by other companies.

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Quartet directed by Dennis King, Drysdale Hall November 12, 2003

This evening of four short comedy plays, each with a different cast but all directed by Players president Dennis King was a was a rare delight.

The opening play, a modern Australian work by Chris Hodson 'How Green Was My Baby' was, for me, the pick of the bunch. It had neat, insightful writing, a tight cast with sympathetic understanding of an original plotline - Davydd Marrie, Terri Scott, Simon Taylor, Brendan O'Hallaran, Martina Lefevbre-Jones and Lynette Blainey - and a nice swift well-delivered punchline. This was then contrasted by a smaller, slower-paced and slightly dated English play, but one that was equally well written and performed.

Alan Bennett's 'Say Something Happened' was very well cast and presented with relish and a high degree of skill by Elizabeth Thomas, Bruce Murray and Susannah Devenish. Following an interval, the two second-act plays were also English and dated. This pair lacked a little of the former's polish and pace, but were still highly enjoyable. The Alan Ayckbourn standard 'A Talk In The Park' suffered a little from its plot predictability and space restrictions but it gained from good casting and excellent delivery. Credit Tony Wright, Deb Davie, Michael Pidgeon, Bodil Wright and Trevor Sanderson for this.

The evening's final piece 'Last Tango In Little Grimley' promised much but didn't always deliver - a little like its plotline. But the predictable plot was neatly presented by the hardworking Emma Soloman, Sue Davis, Russell Perry and Marcus Savidis. All together, the Players gave us an evening of light froth that left every audience member upbeat and in good humour. And that's quite predictable from the Players, too.

Colin Mockett.

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