My friend Hazel and I watched Spring Happenings by the Chameleons at the Ritchie Memorial Hall in Chandler’s Ford this evening. The show was outstanding and we highly recommended it. The show lasts two more days till this Saturday.
The last act Chinamen made me shed tears from laughing. We had a pleasant evening and were well entertained. All three performances were of high standard. The stories are clever. The set design is excellent.
The humble Ritchie Memorial Hall was cosy. People at the door and those making us free coffee were friendly. Coffee and tea were served in disposable cups with plastic handles, instantly turning the cups into mugs. This is a hall of warmth and ingenuity. Here they don’t sell you expensive ice cream as what big, crowded theatres do. Don’t expect red wine in fine glass either.
One of life’s little pleasures is walking down the quiet hidden path through the wood with my good friend in a bit of cold air, then cutting through the car park of St. Boniface church, and getting to our local community hall to be entertained. I missed a few jokes, luckily Hazel was very good at explaining the jokes that I just didn’t quite get (as usual).
I felt relaxed in such a warm, friendly setting. I bumped into a few familiar faces too.
Spring Happenings is a collection of 3 One Act Plays – Parentcraft by Stephen Smith produced by Vince McKeown, Heavens Above by Diana Raffle produced by Kelly Maiden, and Chinamen by Michael Frayn produced by Matthew Meehan. The website of Chameleon Theatre Company has just had a make-over. The now modern and appealing website contains the production and the cast details. You’ll find there is a wealth of talent in the Chameleons.
The husband-and-wife team Dave and Gillian Wilkins were hugely successful in their multiple roles in Chinamen. It was a witty play full of twists and surprises. I met Nick Coleman for the first time, and he wore tennis shorts, a tennis polo shirt and a head band, and his hair was unkempt. Rather unusual, but he was playing Melvin Potter in Heaven’s Above.
Spring Happenings (a collection of 3 One Act Plays)
Venue: The Ritchie Memorial Hall, Hursley Road, Chandler’s Ford SO53 2FT.
Dates: Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th April 2014
Times: Doors open – 7pm; Curtain up – 7.30pm
Tickets: £7 for adults, £6 seniors, £4.50 children
Box Office: Telephone: 0845 644 0496
Website: Chameleon Theatre Company
What a great evening! It is unusual to find amateur acting of such a very high standard. The set, sound effects and lighting were really good, too. While there were no weak performances, those that stood out for me were ‘Siobhan’ – Lisa Dunbar in ‘Parentcraft’, ‘Steve/Barney’ – David Wilkins in Chinamen and ‘Bernice’ and ‘Melvin’ – Naomi Scott and Nick Coleman in ‘Heaven’s Above’. The first part of this play required them to sit very still while the action focused on the main character, ‘Sally Kent’ (ably played by Marilyn Dunbar), yet they were acting all the time and gave very convincing performances throughout.
I agree with Janet that the Chameleons are a friendly, local and community-minded group, and look forward to their next production in July.
Wayne Bradshaw was also superb in his role as Derek in Parentcraft. He was very convincing. His performance before and after his revelation was effective and natural – and also funny of course!
Dear Janet
Thanks so much for recommending we go to Chameleon’s Spring Happenings. We had a great time. All three shows were grreaaaaatttt!!!!!
I’m so pleased you both enjoyed the show. I tried buying more tickets to watch it again with my son, but all tickets had been sold out.