Swiss visitor gives a notable performance

There were a lot of memories rekindled at last week’s reading as the company took another look – after over 25 years – at “Farewell, Farewell Eugene”.

This production won Ballymoney festival after appearing in the Victoria Hall, and went on to the Grand Opera House where Bernard Prentice was adjudicating the Ulster Final. Margaret Steward and Olivia Marcus had certainly lost none of their fire or skill in comedy timing in what were two very long and demanding roles. The question on everybody’s lips was, “How did they ever manage to learn it?”

The role of Queenie Bosworth, the niece, was read by Virginie Felchlin, in what was a quite remarkable performance. Eugenie, who has been visiting Larne from Switzerland as a French assistant for the past six months, has been a regular attender at the circle’s Thursday night meetings.

Her ability to take a script, in what is her second language, and read it with meaning and portray a real character was very impressive. She even managed to get proper and place names correct. She goes back home at the end of the summer term, but undoubtedly her stay in Larne will have given her much insight into the nuances of the English language!

At the meeting, the society heard with regret of the deaths of two former members. John Stride, who for a number of years gave much valuable service on the backstage team, died on Monday. Renee Benson, who was there at the very beginning of the club, passed away on Wednesday. Chairman Beth Alexander expressed the sympathy of everyone to John’s widow, Renee’s husband and daughter, and the whole family circles.

Tonight food is the theme, with two one acts on the bill – Nick Warburton’s “For Starters” and Deirdre Kinahan’s “Melody”.

Local events in the next couple of weeks include Choral Singing For Easter with Loretto McAuley and David Stewart in Drumalis on this Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm. Highly recommended, not least of all for the lunch! The excellent “Through a Glass Darkly…” photographic exhibition continues in the Carnegie Arts Centre.

You have until Saturday night to catch “Sweeney Todd” at the Theatre at the Mill.