A BREATH OF SPRING

performed at Seafar Primary School, March 1969

BRIGADIER RAYNE	Ron Paterson	DAME BEATRICE APPLEBY	Rena Haldane
LADY MILLER	Margaret Clark	MISS PARRY	Betty Naismith
HATTIE HATFIELD	Agnes Whinnery
OTHER CAST	Elspeth Haldane, Jim Clark, Jim Haldane

The Apex Players, absent from the amateur drama scene in recent months due to casting difficulties and a lack of members, made a sparkling come-back when they presented Peter Coke's "A Breath of Spring" in Seafar Primary School last week.

This three-act comedy about a number of seemingly respectable middle-aged gentlefolk who form themselves into a fur-stealing gang in order to raise cash for their favourite charities, provided Ron Paterson and Rena Haldane, in the leading roles, with an excellent opportunity to display their respective talents.

As the elderly retired Brigadier Rayne, complete with false hair and moustache - a wonderful make-up job by Nan Haldane - Ron played his character to the hilt, drawing much laughter in the process whilst Rena Haldane as Dame Beatrice Appleby, provided a competent performance as the "brains of the gang". She was very amusing in her scenes with her friend Lady Miller, very well played by Margaret Clark, when they were both competing for the attention of the Brigadier.

Betty Naismith as the rather manish Miss Parry, played it for big laughs all the way and was a joy to watch. Her stage presence has improved tremendously and she should prove a big asset in future productions.

The scatter-brained character of Hattie Hatfield was assumed with ease by Agnes Whinnery and she succeeded in keeping the audience in stitches with her comings and goings. Elspeth Haldane as the long suffering maid was both decorative and effective and - full marks - managed to maintain her Cockney accent with ease.

Jim Clark was a suitably bewildered man from Scotland Yard and producer Jim Haldane had a brief appearance as his assistant.

The overall impression gained from this performance by the Apex Players was one of teamwork. Everyone helped one another, especially in one or two places where it was obvious to the experienced eye that someone had forgotten a line of dialogue. There was always another player who covered the omission.

I did feel though that although the production was enjoyable and certainly, judging from audience reaction, gave much pleasure on both nights, it was under rehearsed. A bigger effort by the cast in learning lines could have improved the overall effect.

The set was well designed by Jim Kinnell and the right atmosphere created by use of curtains, pictures, ornaments, etc. David Barclay's lighting effects brought out the highlights effectively and producer Jim Haldane has made the most of his past experience in presenting this play and is to be congratulated on effectively directing his rather large band of players on a limited stage area.