Hucknall Dispatch - October 2009

Hucknall Dispatch Review

The owner of a goldfish tells a vet it is feeling unwell - because it has been swallowed by a ferret! This was an example of the rib-tickling humour to be found in 'Hiccups And Slip-Ups', presented by the junior section of Lovelace Theatre Group as part of a double bill.

The young people made a commendable fist of this light-hearted sketch, written by John Townsend, even though it was not easy for them to keep up with the rapid pace which the production demanded. Jess Johnson played the harassed vet whose new assistant, Norbert (Jared Perrin), proves more a hindrance than a help. Pet owners who call at the vet's during a hectic session were portrayed by Emma, Lauren Newbold, Beth Garwood, Rebecca Mitchell, Kiera Vann and Lucy Randall, while Morgan Brown had the squawky last word as a parrot.

The group's second offering was a play within a play by David Tristram, telling how the struggling Little Grimley Amateur Dramatic Society, reduced to just four members, seek to save themselves from oblivion by putting on a daring production with a sex theme.

The Little Grimley quartet were played by Rachel Williams, Tom Stevenson, Chloe Smith and Reece Saint, who have to cope with miscasting, having to take on three separate roles and the panic of forgotten lines at dress-rehearsal stage.

Directed by Bernie Kirk and Derek Frearson, the one-act plays provided stimulating comedy fare, although the evening's entertainment was all over in about an hour and a half.

Review by Dennis Robinson