KBDG’s spring production this year was three one-act plays. The first on stage was ‘Henna Night’ a two hander in the capable hands of two group stalwarts, Andrea Spencer and Emily Eastham. Henna Night is a powerful play where feelings run high. Judith (Emily Eastham) has just been dumped by her boyfriend Jack (the Cad) for Ros (Andrea Spencer). Ros intercepts Judith’s phone message to Jack saying she is going to either colour her hair with the Henna dye or slash her wrists, either way it will make a mess of the bathroom floor.

Ros understands the turmoil of Judith’s mind and goes round to see her. What follows is a full menu of human emotions, despair, hope, tragedy and even comedy in this brilliant script by Amy Rosenthal that does contain some strong dialogue.

The set of Judith’s bed-sit was simple as you would expect but the available space was used wisely and most effectively by Director Kate Belcher.

The play moved at a brisk pace though the moves were a little static at times, but all round an excellent production by two of the Group’s most experienced actors.

The second offering was ‘The Real Problem’ by Bruce Kane. My real problem was where the piece was set. Initially I thought we were in some kind of nightclub lobby called the Cauldron, but no. The piece is a comedy where some of Shakespeare’s characters get conflicting advice from Desdemona and Katherine from The Taming of the Shrew. Also in there is the talking head of Anne Boleyn who was long on advice but short on moves. The whole cast were young girls who all had my admiration for treading the boards in front of a live audience.

The Real Problem is a strange piece with the historic figures conversing in modern ‘teen’ speak, and very funny in parts.

Katherine (Lucy Dixon) was excellent. She handled her considerable part well and let her compatriots know in short order what she thought of men. Rebecca Bellis played Desdemona, again with panache, as did Abby Hallion-Gammon as Juliet.

The head of Anne Boleyn featured the head of Abbie Hale, who although she didn’t move a lot had much to say on the subject of the male sex, who it appears are the Real Problem. Directed by several members of the Group,The Real Problem was certainly in contrast to Henna Night.

Play 3. The Extraordinary Revelations of Orca the Goldfish by David Tristam.

I have seen this play several times but seldom as well performed as this one. Directed by Susi Dalton, ‘Orca’ tells the story of a bored mid-life married couple who each fantasise about being involved in various romantic situations.

Henry Smith is played by Mike Lacey who seemed comfortable in his role as the beaten down husband, who dreams of being a great actor or lover or in fact anything but what he his. His wife Alice, superbly played by the talented Paula Eastwood, leads us a merry dance as she nags torments and tempts Henry in a series of fantasies that always come to an abrupt end returning to real life.

This play is a natural for Drama Festivals and I can see why. The script is hysterical in parts but also portrays a certain pathos as Alice and Henry already have that which they seek but can’t see it. The set and lighting plot are again simple and effective, especially in the beach scene where Henry has a ‘Norman Wisdom’ moment with his deckchair.

Many good people of KBS missed a treat with this evening’s entertainment, as there were only around 30 in the audience, shame, the production deserved many more.