THE VIGIL
THE VIGIL REMEMBERED
After three months rehearsing, learning lines and travelling around Worcestershire and the West Midlands, the cast of The Vigil can now take a well-deserved rest.
The play, by Ladislas Fodor, staged during Lent, was received with great enthusiasm and many complimentary remarks in each of the twelve venues where it was performed. Many people commented on the professionalism of the production. A person in the audience at St John’s Bromsgrove wrote: “We were treated to a thoroughly enjoyable evening. It was thought-provoking, yet amusing and well acted. The Prosecutor was outstanding and his supporting actors well-rehearsed and enthusiastic. The Bar Maid left an indelible mark on many of the male members of the audience!”
The members of the cast enjoyed performing in a wide range of church buildings and rose to the challenges posed by each venue – from the cavernous expanses of Halesowen Parish Church to the intimate, studio-theatre space at St Peter’s Pedmore. The vestries, that served as the actors’ changing room, where small – sometimes so small that the whole cast had to stand like sardines in a tin waiting for the play to commence. But great camaraderie ensued as a result, and Jill Alexander’s never-ending supply of homemade cakes ensured no one fainted for lack of sustenance.
The lighting crew also had to cope with some demanding challenges, with electrical trip switches tripping, lamps blowing and, in many cases, no obvious place to position lights. But they surmounted every challenge and ensured each performance went well.
And that slap? Did Sarah Grainger really slap Andy Humphries across the face with such force on twelve separate occasions? Ah, dear readers! That must remain a secret. Actors have to safeguard the tricks of their profession.
Charlie Simmonds
Phil Burgess and Brock
Brakes
Andy
Humphries
Duncan
Roberts
Chris Wilson
as Private Lucius
as Defence and Prosecuting
Counsels
as the
Gardener
as Mr Sadoc, private
detective
as Mr Pinchas
WHAT THE CRITICS SAID
How greatly the play was appreciated at St Mary’s [Kidderminster]. It provoked much thought and quite a bit of conversation in
the following days… we were all very moved by the performance and want to
thank you for including us in your Tour. Revd
Canon Owain Bell, St Mary’s Kidderminster.
The performance here “on Broadway” was very well received and had nothing but compliments. The total number of people present was 94! Revd Terry Mason, Broadway.
Those of us who were there found the evening both
entertaining and thought-provoking. It
was obviously the result of much hard work and dedication.
Rev Canon Boyce, St Marin’s in the London Road, Worcester.
It was a pleasure and a privilege to have The Alvechurch Theatre Company to perform in our church and we all thought the evening was a great success. You certainly have a wealth of talent in your church and local community. Malcolm Roberts, Churchwarden St John’s Church, Hagley.
On Friday 22 February, The Alvechurch Theatre Company came to the parish to perform The Vigil in St John’s Church [Bromsgrove]. The company is the adult drama group of St Laurence Church, Alvechurch and what a talented group of people they are!
The thirty seven of us were treated to a thoroughly enjoyable evening. It was a thought-provoking, yet amusing and well-acted play. Using only the front of the church and the pulpit for the witnesses, a couple of tables and chairs, the Bishop’s chair for the Judge, one spot light [!] and no microphones, the Courtroom came alive. The Prosecutor was outstanding, and his supporting actors well-rehearsed and enthusiastic. The Bar Maid left an indelible mark on many of the male members of the audience! All in all, a really good night out. Well done the Alvechurch Theatre Company! Jenni Green, St John’s Church, Bromsgrove.
Thank you for an uplifting rendition of The Vigil
last Saturday. It was a memorable
evening so professionally acted and presented – so many long speeches
faultlessly remembered. Ann
Dixon, Alvechurch
Could you convey the thanks and appreciation of those who attended [St Andrew’s Church Droitwich] to the cast? I have heard many appreciative comments over the last week from those who were impressed and moved by the performance. Revd Doug Chaplin, St Andrew’s, Droitwich.
I must admit that I went to see The Vigil for the cast members I knew and to support the venture more than to see the play. However, it was an excellent evening and the play itself was enthralling. Who but a gardener would understand the importance of a freshly seeded lawn and be bewildered that everyone else didn’t understand?
I was moved between the audacity (and ‘frontage’!) on the “tart with a heart” in the pulpit (dock), to almost cheering and weeping with Mary Magdalene’s dignified honesty and clarity. Pilate had shades of An Officer and a Gentleman with his white suit, but with the comical leanings of Kenneth Williams. And as for the counsel – the quiet assurance of Counsel for the Defence and the way the Counsel for the Prosecution seamlessly changed into Satan!
If I had pages I could comment on all the cast. But suffice it to say they were all excellent. The story was so well told – and it really made you see the glory of Easter in a different way. If you saw it, then you will know what I mean. If you didn’t, then you missed a treat – an enjoyable and thought-provoking evening.
My thanks to all the cast and, of course, to the Director. Long may you continue!
We still hear appreciative comments about The Vigil echoing round St Peter’s – thank you again for not only a worthwhile and entertaining evening, but a welcome addition to the spiritual content of Lent. Revd Andrew Hazlewood, Rector of Pedmore, Stourbridge.
[Comments made to Beulah, the Bar Maid] You make a wonderful tart.
Are they real or plastic? Are
you a natural or acting? The
Vicar of Halesowen.
