Review of LUDS Production- Dinner

So I had some homework to do for one of my classes, but its kind of relevant to this so I thought I'd post it.  First ever performance review woohoo!

Dinner: Review

 ‘Syme prowls delightfully around her dinner table like a cat ready to pounce upon her prey, as each guest slowly realises that this dinner is not one they will easily forget.’

Ushered in by the wonderfully sinister silent waiter Dinner opens with as much flair and boldness as the revenge that is about to be served up by the evening’s hostess.  Paige, played by Katy Syme, has fashioned, ‘like Frankenstein’s monster’ a terrifying three course meal in honour of her husband’s success and no opportunity is spared to insult, backstab and humiliate in Moira Buffini’s satirical comedy.  Syme prowls delightfully around her dinner table like a cat ready to pounce upon her prey, as each guest slowly realises that this dinner is not one they will easily forget. 

This showcase of horrors, celebrates the success of pop psychology writer Lars, played by Alex Millward, an old hat of LUDS productions, he is portrayed as obnoxious and cold hearted creature, well versed in psycho-babble and equally able to dish out insults as his wife.  Millward sustains this role well and supports Syme excellently as she unfolds her revenge.  His book provides much comedy throughout the play but the psycho-babble, does get a little tiresome in places and I wondered sometimes whether the actors were even really aware of the words coming out of their mouths.  Most of the time though, Millward pulls it together and gives a strong performance as husband of the house.  Lauren Mooney plays well as relentless do-gooder and, ironically, Lars’ mistress, she is the vegetarian artist ‘sadly undiscovered as yet’.  Special mention must be made of Greg Perry who clearly revelled in his part as working class potential thug, Alex, the unexpected guest.  His role played with humour and energy, a refreshing contrast to the upper middleclass snobbery seated at the table.   

Rebbecca Cope’s directorial debut provides an entertaining evening of insults and verbal abuse delivered by her cast with gusto.  For an amateur production, I must be honest I had low expectations, but this time LUDS really gave it all they had. Tucked away in the Guild, The McAusland Lounge isn’t really much more than a large, slightly damp old room but the house-like qualities of the space altered only by black canvas screens and tall up-lighters provide a simplicity which allows for the action of the play to spill over into the audience at Paige’s demand.  The scenery, costume and sound are simple and understated and it is Cope’s cast that provides energy enough to sustain the two hour play right through to its end without requiring an interval.  The setting was utilised well, though for a play centred around facial reactions it was frustrating to have been sitting towards the back, I could barely catch site of two characters at a time, a little bit of staging perhaps would have allowed more of us to see rather than just hear what was going on.  It turned out the late comers forced to stand, ended up with the best view.  Overall extremely entertaining and worth the £4 ticket (£6 for non students) but get there early for a good seat.  

 Dinner- Moira Buffini performed by LUDS 17th-19th Nov McAusland Lounge

(you missed it, never mind)