A Bowl of Cherries

Synopsis

A Bowl of Cherries is a musical revue that looks at life through a cycle of plays and songs. This is observed by two theatre ghosts from the last war; Penny Riddle and Albert Farthing, who are trapped between this world and the next.
 
The humorous, sexy, and thought provoking book is written by Carolyn Pertwee with music from Ivor Novello award winning David Martin; songwriter of'Can't Smile Without You. The plays and songs illustrate different aspects of life's bitter sweet experiences and take us on a journey from the cradle to infinity. Albert is tired of being in limbo and wants to move on but is held back by Penny who is in denial, believing she is still alive and waiting for her big theatrical moment. Their story unfolds through the evening, weaving in and out of the events contained in A Bowl of Cherries, concluding with their own dramatic denouement.
 
This thoroughly entertaining revue is performed by eight versatile actors and musicians including Gary Wilmot and Claire Buckfield, and is devised and directed by Olivier Award nominated Andrew C Wadsworth. The songs and plays are instantly accessible as they chart life's familiar dilemmas; A Bowl of Cherries has something for everyone!

Our Review:

19 March 2012

A Bowl of Cherries is a slightly disparate collection of mini plays interspersed with songs. The cast include the top-billed Clare Buckfield (as a theatre ghost) and Gary Wilmot (in a multitude of roles), alongside six other highly capable performers.

The opening number sees starlet-in-the-making Penny Riddle (Buckfield) singing in a wartime theatre, only to be interrupted by the bang and flash of a bomb dropping. She then takes her place on a pair of theatre seats to the side of the stage, joined by ghostly stagehand Albert (Graham MacDuff).

Penny fails to realise she is a ghost, despite Albert’s many hints, and occasionally attempts to join in with the ensuing scenes – a device which is at times clunky and unnecessary as many of the scenes work well without it.

We start with six cast members singing “It’s a Wonderful Life” in good solid harmony and move through a playground scene and a rather incongru...

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Latest User Review

Jolyon Kay - 19 March 2012:

A capable cast struggle hard with material that never gels. The scenes go on too long for a revue, too short to sustain a theme. A great disappointment....

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