Set of six comical country sheep coasters by Claughton Images
Price:£11.70
Women on the Verge of HRT – Darlington Civic Theatre
May 15, 2009
IT was again a case of spot the man in the audience at Darlington Civic Theatre, as Women on the Verge of HRT, the latest of the shows aimed predominately at women, follows on from the recent shows such as Hot Flush and The Vagina Monologues.The action of the first half is set in a bedroom of Daniel O’Donnell’s hotel as best friends, Vera and Anna, spend a weekend at a Daniel O’Donnell concert. You are curiously drawn in as the play starts in silence with Anna, played by Janet Dibley, adding her own touch to the bed – a Daniel O’Donnell pillowcase. The silence, though, is soon broken as Vera, played by Louise Jameson, bursts in and the frustrations of her life are revealed.
The best scenes in the first half were when Vera and Anna were joined by Fergal, played by Aidan O’Neill.
The mood changes in the second half of the play. as the location moves to the beach on Donegal Bay. It is here that Fergal’s relationship with a banshee leads to Aidan O’Neill playing various parts including Vera’s ex husband and his new wife.
The action is at times too fast and some of the comedy is lost due to the unconvincing accents of Louise Jameson and Janet Dibley. The second half felt very much like the first half just told in a different way. It certainly appeared to make a great girls night out though.
Women on the Verge of HRT is on until Saturday 16th May. Box office 01325 486555
A J Harrison