Review: Talking Heads (March 2007)

The 'intimate' setting of the Methodist Church Hall was an advantage the BATS wouldn't have wanted to exploit to its fullest last Wednesday. Unfortuantely they had little choice as the small hall played host to an opening audience of about a dozen people.

It proved to be a criminal waste of the talent on stage, as the three leads in Alan Bennets Talking Heads put on quite a show. The nature of the play, three half an hour or so monologues, meant there could be no hiding place for lesser performers - and this  BATS show carried no hint of a pre-summer season 'second XI'. the trio of performers all proved themselves adept in handling the plays swings between laugh out loud comedy and real world tragedy.

Meryl Beamont put on her best brave face as the austere Muriel, a practical lady determined to get on with things when life conspires against her.

As Susan, the alcoholic vicar's wife stuck in a mid life crisis, JoJo Turnbull excelled in a touching role, full of caustic wit.

Stand out was Dorothy Webb as the lonely and often hilarious serial letter writer Miss Ruddock.

Despite the extreme plot devices, the role was kept touchingly human by her portrayal. Dorothy also doubled as the plays director.  She must have been thrilled with her cast....

- Bexhill Observer

Review reproduced by permission