YET again, something very different! The Morris, by Helen Blakeman, presented by Riverside Drama Company. Last week at the Devonshire Studio, Chatsworth Centre.
 
The Morris was about a Ladies' Morris dancing troupe, entering an annual, end of season, competition. As the defending champions, they are hoping to retain their title, something that has never been accomplished before, so, as one can imagine, nerves are just a little frayed.

From start to finish the acting was superb, and all kept up a strong Liverpool dialect, which isn't the easiest, and even more so, there wasn't a Liverpudlian in the cast!

The music started and, Our Lady All Angels, Morris Dancing Troupe, strutted their stuff, and pom pom twirled their way across the acting area. Not for them, the bells, flower-trimmed hats and handkerchief waving, but smart dresses, white socks and pumps, looking rather the American cheer leaders, and certain winners!

But things were a little fraught amongst all the litter and fold-up chairs, costume bags etc.

For one thing, Margy, the choreographer, and leader of the troupe, had learned that a rival troupe had copied their winning routine, so she had to rethink things quickly. An outstanding performance of Margy by Charlotte Lloyd.

Jamie Lee, their youngest member, was having a teenage strop, didn't want to carry on, so, after a row with her mum Lilly  (senior member), flounced off. An excellent performance of Jamie by Philippa Lowe. Lilly was so upset by her daughter's  angry departure she took it out on poor Margy, as well as everyone else. A very convincing performance by Liz Turner.

Sharon was all hot under the collar, so kept knocking back the booze, she didn't get drunk but it did tend to make her swear quite a lot. Sharon was played to perfection as always, by Lizzie O'Hara.

The team was now a member short.

Margy was busy re-choreographing a new routine, when in waft Donna, a former member, with her three-week old baby.

She's suffering a bit of depression, everyone asks about the baby but no-one asks about her, she seems to have lost her identity. A lovely sensitive performance by Donna Osmond, she almost had the audience in tears. But, heaven be praised, she was persuaded to step into the breach! A spare out- fit was even found for her! All systems go!

OK so they didn't win, but came a close second! In the audience's eyes, they were winners all the way!

Big Joan, was mentioned quite a lot, but never actually appeared, except to give a wave at the end, but as Big Joan played by Emjay Sadler, she'd another job to do, that of prompt... She wasn't needed there either!

The Morris was directed by Martin Holtom, also, this was a UK amateur premiere. Well done!

By June Barker