NODA Review
As sadly I have very few drama companies on my area I was delighted when requested to Dep for my
fellow Noda colleague Chris, plus I’ve also not previously seen When We Are Married.
My husband and I were greeted at Alvechurch Village Hall by a bevy of front of house ladies all
dressed to the nines in 1950’s costume that really set the mood for the performance.
I’d like to start by talking a little about my first impressions of the superbly detailed set where all the
action was to take place. Noted from the programme the director had chosen to set the play in
1950’s rather than the Edwardian period. Full use of the stage ensured good sight lines and visibility
for the audience, just imagine the sumptuous sitting room in Alderman Helliwell’s house, those were
the days when a housekeeper and also a maid were employed to run the house. Up stage right
there was a glass pane entrance door that led to the garden, the lighting effects were excellent
taking us through from early evening as the play progressed. Whilst upstage left was the other door
that led to the different rooms in the house that were never seen, I was really impressed that the
dialogue volume from these other rooms increased when the door was opened these ensured things
like the argument could be clearly heard by everyone in the audience.
The play opened with Leah Yendell playing the extremely likeable, naïve, quirky maid Ruby Birtle. I
found myself smiling at her every entrance as I knew she was going to be telling us more of the
entertaining fast moving story line. Her dislike of Mrs Northrop the indiscreet housekeeper played
well by Susan Resuggan was evident throughout. I have always thought it challenging for the cast
when directors also appear in their own productions however this did not appear to have been an
issue on this occasion.
The synopsis of the play is primarily centred on three couples who are celebrating their joint 25 th
wedding anniversaries, being married on the same date by the same parson. The Helliwell’s –
Alderman Joseph Helliwell was played with authority by Chris Davies and his somewhat long-
suffering wife Maria played by Myfanwy Griffiths. I enjoyed the twist when she announced she was
leaving Joseph.
Emma-Louise Hodgson and Adam Brown played bossy Clara and put upon Herbert Soppitt
respectively, the audience really felt that Clara wore the trousers in their relationship, until Herbert
finally stood up for himself. And our final couple were the Parkers, Albert and Annie. Albert, played
well by Martin Salter, always paid more attention to his councillor’s duties than to his quietly spoken
wife, and appeared to grow in self-confidence until later in the play. Jo Bestwick gave a characterful
performance leading to the moment when Annie proceeded to surprise us all! Good for her.
We were also introduced to organist Gerald Forbes played by Samuel Perry who was having a secret
relationship with the Helliwell’s niece, Nancy Holmes played by Anna Pearson. Other characters as
listed included Rev Clement Mercer – Steve Siddle and love interest Lottie Grady – Rosie Pring, who
makes a dramatic appearance when finding out the truth about the couples. Photographer Henry
Ormonroyd – Bob Salmon – and not forgetting reporter Fred Dyson – Keith Williams – arrive at an
inappropriate time to do an article for the local newspaper about the couple’s celebrations.
Overall, the acting and characterisation of all the actors was superb, word perfect throughout. What
really impressed me was the company’s attention to detail. The period costumes especially the
ladies were absolutely gorgeous, with colour matched shoes and underskirts. As a wardrobe
mistress myself, these really added the finishing touches to the production.
Congratulations to everyone involved not only on stage but also to the backstage people as the cast
can’t put on a production of this standard without you. We are only as good as our last production,
and I sincerely hope that When We Are Married receives the recognition it deserves.
Thank you so much for your hospitality, we had a very enjoyable evening.
Joyce