FIRST of all,... Well done Riverside Drama Company, for entertaining us so brilliantly last week in the Devonshire Studio 
with two plays. The first, 'Camp Confidence', by Diana Raffle, the second, 'Shakers', by John Godber and Jane Thornton. 

These plays were quite different, as the casts were all ladies! What talented ladies they were!

'Camp Confidence' was set in a field with tents and a scattering of chairs. Julia Nelson, pacing up and down, talking on her mobile to her husband (she really can't leave him alone for a minute) Julia, is the leader of the event about to take place.  Julia, was Perfectly portrayed by Sylvia Holmes.

Studying her file with the names of the guests due to arrive, was Fiona Saddler. This part was well played by newcomer 
Rachael Taylor. Her job was to welcome the guests. The first one to arrive was the temperamental Maria Garibaldi, an Italian, who, when asked her name screamed 'I Starving,' Fiona misunderstands, and calls her Miss Starving. Outraged, Maria yells 'I'm hungry!" Expertly performed by Lizzie O'Hara. 

Blanche Happ creeps on, she's nervous, hasn't been outside for years. Julia sees she has a bit of a problem, especially as the toilet/bath block is situated a little way across the field! Blanche was played convincingly by Moya Magee.

Donna White slouches on, she's a bit of a jail bird, and really doesn't give a toss about anything, except, she insists on 
sleeping outside - understandable. Janet Lomas gave a super performance.

The glamorous Cherry Gordon sails in, saying she used to be a model, but would prefer to be a cleaner and proves it by 
dusting the tents!! A lovely performance by Maggie Millington. 

All the ladies have one thing in common, they need a confidence boost, Julia is just the person to help. But of course, 
things never go according to plan, especially when Blanche is told of the toilet/bath situation!

The course gets under way, Donna tells of her friend Blanche Smellie (yes, two of 'em). Things get disrupted when a vision draped in a white towel appears! It's Donna's friend. She'd been in the toilet block, came out, only to discover her clothes had been pinched! A good performance, by Linda Ahern.

A very funny play, directed by Liz Turner, and Martin Holtom they also directed the second play. 

'Shakers', takes place in the 80s in a trendy cocktail bar, the 'in thing' at that time. 

Four barmaids/waitresses, bemoaning their lot, infact, having a moan about some of the customers, mostly men ... They then took on the roles of the men in question. Hilarious! 

They do most things in unison, there's 'Adele', played by Donna Osmond, 'Carole', by Kay Davis, in her first role with 
Riverside, 'Mel' by Charlotte Lloyd, and 'Nicky' by Lizzie O'Hara. 

Mel, was saying, she was going to see her grandmother, when the lights faded (for real) there were just the emergency lights!  Charlotte, didn't lose her cool, she just said "That is if I ever do get to see her!' The place erupted into spontaneous 
applause!

The girls almost went on strike when told they 'had to wear rather short shorts! 'No way,' they cried, 'It'll be topless 
next!"  Nicky came from behind the bar ... She was wearing them! Not for long though, when she saw how mad her friends were.

A very different sort of play, and extremely Well performed by this excellent cast. 

By June Barker.