| Under The Stars |
by Richard Crane12 - 21 February 2009
Stella and Regina are understudies for a West End production of a classical tragedy. As the stars on stage are heard emoting over the tannoy, the two understudies vent their frustration. Stella is a 'method' actress, passionate about the magic of the theatre whilst Regina - resigned to knitting and shopping in Sainsbury's - is her cynically practical opposite, displaying an acerbic wit. When their double crossing director brings in a 'known' actress as the cover for one of the stars the two rivals unite in their resentment. This wonderful, acutely observed play with its mixture of pathos and hilarity, offers us an insight into the lives of the would-be stars who are never seen.
Cast
Croydon Advertiser Review27 February 2009 Theo Spring One is a little scatty, nervy, not quite on top of her lines and determined to get under the skin of her character, the other is on top of her role, centred and not beyond the odd practical joke. Both are ready to go on stage but the likelihood of the call is remote as these two understudies well know. Nikki Packham's Stella was full of determination to show the insecurities of an understudy while researching the myths surrounding her character, Helen. Mary-Rose Goodliffe's more practical Regina took the 25 years of understudying The Dame in her stride. The play currently in hand is Clytemnestra. Batting nicely off each other, these two did real justice to the playwright's comedy as they waited, night after night, in the less than cosy dressing room so well envisaged by set designer Jenny Kingman and built by her and members of The Miller Centre. Understudies have to rehearse regularly and Chris Hearn brought Assistant Director Charles to theatrical life as he tried to persuade Stella to emulate the moves and intonations of her star Trixie, but to little avail. There is much stage business tangled up in Regina's constant knitting which produced gasps of sympathy from the audience when Stella irately pulls the shawl Reg is making right off the knitting needle. It is the growth of this shawl which cleverly denotes the passing of time. David Saunders made impact with his brief visit to the dressing room as P.Q, the show's director, showing the rough side of showbiz as he arranges to have a known actress prepare to replace Trixie who is in failing health, rather than use Stella's skills. Denise Scales went wonderfully over the top as the known actress (of whom neither understudy had heard), treading hard on the toes of the understudies as they withheld their rehearsal assistance, in protest. Vicky Watkins, in an excellent director's debut, brought out the comedy, pathos, light and shade of a play which I am surprised has not had more of an airing.
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