Friends And Neighbours: June 1980
By Austin Steele
Newspaper review
Full marks for accents in play
"Friends and Neighbours" can't be the easiest play to present. The actors who don't have to wrestle with a Lancashire accent have to tackle a Russian one instead.
Sheringham Players opened a five night run of the Austin Steele comedy at the Little Theatre. It is a simple plot. Lily and Albert Grimshaw, played by Joan Spall and Paddy Corden, play hosts to two Russians (Chris Lea and Sandy Roper).
Causing chaos throughout is Sebastian (Ned Seago) boyfriend of the Grimshaws' daughter. Susan (Sue Dickens).
Neighbours Doris and Wilf Holmes (Dot Swift and John Meikle) pop in from time to time. The husbands are hen-pecked, the Russians are dead-pan until loosened up by vodka, and gormless Sebastian is a caricature of someone we all know.
Frances Bethell's well-rehearsed production ran fairly smoothly on the opening night. The Sheringham Players have treated a pleasant play in a charming way. And full marks for-the accents!
LB
Scroll down for photos, cast and crew.
| Cast | Backstage |
| Doris Holmes: Dot Swift | Producer: Frances Bethell |
| Lily Grimshaw: Joan Spall | Stage Manager and Set Design: Ned Seago |
| Susan Grimshaw, Lily's daughter: Sue Dickens | Assistants: Karen Cross, Sue Potter, Eve Turner |
| Albert Grimshaw, Lily's husband: Paddy Corden | Electrician: John Avery |
| Wilf Holmes, Doris' Husband: John Meikle | |
| Sebastian Green: Ned Seago | |
| Vladimir Previtch: Chris Lea | |
| Petri Garanakdva: Sandy Roper |
