Triangle of one-act plays

Community theatre group returns to Hungerford after village tour

CHTC: Love Triangle, at Hungerford Royal British Legion, on Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14

The Community of Hungerford Theatre Company produced an evening of three one-act plays, entitled Love Triangle, that they took on tour to Shalbourne, Inkpen and Great Shefford before returning to The Royal British Legion in Hungerford for the final performances on Friday and Saturday.

The evening began with The Pigeon with the Silver Foot, written by Pamela Hansford Johnson and CP Snow. It told the story of a Venetian legend – Bianca, a poor lacemaker, is visited by a customer who tells her that if she finds a pigeon with a silver foot, a handsome young man will come to marry her.

Krysia Dawson, as Bianca, made St Mark's Square come to life with her mimed interactions with a flock of pigeons, while Tessa Brown brought out the eerie side of the customer.

The second play of the evening was an abridged version of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, delivered by the company's exuberant youth theatre.

Chris Nilsson brought an awkward charm to the role of Jack, that contrasted well alongside Adam Quinn's roguish Algernon. Both kept the play well-anchored as the young bachelors who lead double lives in order to pursue the women they love.

Charlotte Penny, lipstick smeared around her face, played Cecily with a girlish innocence touched with mania, while Bekah Spencer brought appropriate elegance and snobbery to her portrayal of Gwendolyn.

Cecily's governess, Miss Prism, was played with high drama by George Evans and the formidable Lady Bracknell was portrayed by Jonny Schooley with excellent comic timing and inflection.

The third and final play was Joining the Club, a comedy by David Tristam. Jenny is pregnant and about to tell her husband Tom when he announces that he has quit his job. Both must come to terms with the other's news and face joining the baby club.

Roushka Westall's high-powered and exasperated Jenny was well thought through. Neil Padgen, as passive aggressive Tom, made the most of his comedic lines. Good timing kept the play moving and expressive acting from both meant the audience were carried with them through the piece.

Overall, the company delivered a highly enjoyable evening of plays. Directors David Clayton and Hoffi Munt, the casts and the crew should all be proud of what they achieved.

HM