College drama a great success

It was not an easy choice of play - a Victorian farce involving a young man masquerading as an elderly woman.

Playing the title role was Gary Sands who handled it with great composure and clarity.

The review in the ‘Mail’ continued: “As the play progressed he grew in confidence. He held the play together at key places and certainly managed to raise more than a few laughs. Altogether a most impressive performance.

“David Hewitt, had the longest part, Jack Chesney, and he coped splendidly with good diction and a good stage sense.

“The part of Charley Wkyeham was well played by Gordon Anthony who had a great advantage of appreciating the comic possibilities of situations and he made full use of this.”

The other male players were Clint Aiken, (former Lurgan Mail editor) as Brassett, Neil Connor as Sir Frank Chesney and Keith Bradley as Mr Steven Spetigue.

The review said: “Clint was a most lugubrious character. Some of his mimes were hilarious.

“Grainne Dowey, Julie Lyttle, Caroline Robinson and Valerie Foster, the four female stars, would have ornamented any performance.

“The real Charley’s Aunt was Valerie Foster who grew in confidence and produced a beautiful performance.”

Set and design construction was in the hands of a capable team, led by Paul Duprex and including Geoffrey Cunningham, Mark Cooper, Joseph Lyons, Thomas Carey, Alison Marshall, Julie Irwin, Carolynne Ferris, Kyle Carson and Donna Allen.

The stage lighting team of Boyd McClurg, Stephen McIlhenna, Brian Hutchinson and Mark Harrison was supervised by Mr N. Eccles.