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Loddon Players - Day of Reckoning

28th to 30th April 2006.

From the Basingstoke Gazette.

Audience reckoned stage play was most enjoyable

Day of Reckoning, Loddon Players, Sherfield-On-Loddon village hall

Loddon Players presented their second production at Sherfield-on-Loddon village hall.

Building on the success of their initial venture, the group staged their first full-length play, Day of Reckoning, by Pam Valentine.

The story was set in a fictional village hall -a convenient setting due to the actual location of this play. Before the interval we were gently introduced to the cast of characters as they held a fete committee meeting.

In the second act, we moved to the day of the fete when the drama came to a head with some complex problems, strong emotions a bouncy castle that wouldn't deflate!

The packed audience clearly enjoyed the humour of the play. The cast of eight each created a characterisation that helped the piece. For example, Alison Watts (playing Angela Brownlee) with her expressive voice and Jane Torr (Ethel Swift) with her knowing expressions.

Special mention must go to Alexandra Thomas (Gloria Pitt) for her emotional scene that was cleverly portrayed in the second act.

One of the difficulties of this piece would be the static nature, particularly in act one, but this was carefully directed by Chris Horton with movement that helped, rather than hindered, the action.

What next, Loddon Players?

CLAIRE WARWICK