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The Anniversary by Bill MacIlwraith
Directed by Amy Grove-Rogers for Powderkeg
Reviewed by Lisa Borthwick 1980
Saturday saw the opening night of Powderkeg Player's first offering for 1980, Bill MacIlwraith's, The Anniversary.
The Anniversary is a three-act play set on the night of Mum's wedding anniversary and involves her whole family, with the exception of Dad, who died several years before.
The gutsy role of Mum was played to the full by Ivy Walker, who brought gasps of horror and peals of laughter from the audience by giving them the two ends of mum's character spectrum – the consuming love and deadly venom.
Another shining performance came from 19-year-old St. Albans actress Kris Weber in her stage debut as Mum's bitter daughter-in-law, Karen.
A difficult role even for an experienced actress – as Karen is a major part of each of the tree acts – Kris' emotionally charged first role will no doubt see her emerge as a major talent at Powderkeg.
The play's other female character is Shirley, Mum's prospective daughter-in-law, ably played by Martine West, assisted by her stage fiancé Tom, played by Steven Ritchie.
Mum's two remaining sons are played by Eddy Doran as Terry (Karen's husband) and the eldest, Henry, played by Bernie Cole.
Bernie Cole was excellent as the quiet and withdrawn Henry, who has been the longest suffering of Mum's domineering personality, but has escaped it the "quick way, by going round the bend."
With an excellent set and hard working backstage crew, the Powderkeg Players can be proud of their production of The Anniversary.
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