"THIEVES' CARNIVAL" - from Phoenix 1970-71 [undated - assumed post-October 1970]

"Thieves'Carnival" Is a sophisticated and witty play which demands of its cast great speed and lightness of touch. With Mr. Adams' skilful attention to detail and his ability to bring out the best in his actors, however, we were treated to a very entertaining school play last December.

The tone was immediately set by the lively gardens scene in Act One, as the three thieves are made aware of each others disgutses. We also see the byplay with the policemen and the nursemaid and meet all the characters. ..... including the able clarinettist (Mark Lacey) in his natty yellow suit. Keith Barbrook, Gerard Nolan and Graham Morris sometimes showed considerable ability in their roles of charming, if somewhat unsuccessful con-men. Keith and Gerard especially made much of the various scenes where quick thinking was necessary to maintain their impersonations as Spanish grandees - particularly effective was Peterbono's account of the death of his various relations and his cry "Hold me back, Hector" when defied by Gustave. Their rivals as fortune hunters were most amusingly played by Norman Brown as the doting Dupont-Dufort Senior and David Barker as his ineffectual son. In spite of his father's admonishments to sparkle and to make himself irresistible, son and father fail miserably, to their own amazement and the audience's entertainment, to make the desired impression on the two young ladies, Eva (Diane Cowgill) and Juliette (Angela Williams). Eva's langorous boredom contrasted very effectively with Juliette's ingenuous romancing. The attitudes struck by Eva and her enunciation and intonation are particularly worthy of comment - was that an echo of "Heavens, no" somewhere?

Bewildered and confused by everything around him is Lord Edgard (Terry Prickett). Terry was convincingly and amiably vague and endeared himself to the audience every night by prancing with rage and such pleas as "How much longer do I have to stay crumpled?" Viewing her companions, the puppets she is temporarily manipulating so that she should no longer be as bored as a piece of old carpet, is Lady Hurf, excellently played by Linda D'Oliveira. Just as Lady Hurf deftly manages the puppets in the play, so Linda was the cohesive force among the cast.

The actors, together with the pleasingly designed costumes and sets, combined with the hard work of Mr. Jewell and the stage crew., produced a coordinated and satisfying whole. It is only a pity that such effort cannot be rewarded by better support from the school.

E. G. R.

STAGE CREW - from Phoenix 1970-71 [undated - assumed post-October 1970]

Stage Manager: Even Griffiths Assistant Stage Manager: Ian Dodd Stage Electrician: Gordon Powell Stage Carpenters: Alistair Horn, David Thurston Assistants: Melanie Essam, Brett Ewins, Kevin Kelly Lighting Assistants: Robert Brandreth, Graham Trevarthen