RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
November 1984
 

Cumbernauld News – November 1^st 1998 “Run for your Life!”   1 | 2 | 3 | Top

Step back into the future at the Roxy next week with Cumbernauld Youth Theatre!

If you remember the 1950s, and someone must, then this is your chance to wallow in a bit of nostalgia.

“Run For Your Life” is the Youth Theatre’s latest production and it involves spiralling through time to the 1950s , although the play is set in the “future”, 1984 to be exact.

In order to recreate the atmosphere of the 50s, the Theatre will be decked out in the style of that era. Ushers will be in 50s gear and there will even be a sign outside proclaiming the Theatre’s new name for the production “The Roxy”.

“Basically we are trying to create a cross between a night out at a ‘B’ movie and a panto,” said Nick Fearne, Youth Theatre director.

“We are inviting the audience to dress in 50s gear as part of the production, and we’ll be trying as best as possible to have the theatre looking like a cinema of that era.”

The hero and heroine, Pearl and Dean, are pursued by the Thought Police in this musical tale of good and evil, in the best traditions of panto.

“Run For Your Life” is on at Cumbernauld Theatre on November 8, 9 and 10.

There are an awful lot of old ideas being re-acted by youth theatre companies in the Theatre Workshop, Edinburgh, this week. But the idea are improved and clarified by acting and directing which, though always enthusiastic, rarely veers into the nervous jerks and japes mere entertaining companies depend upon. There is good acting and direction in fulfilled abundance. It is cheering on chill nights to be warmed by dedicated people enjoying themselves.

The opening piece by Cumbernauld Youth Theatre, ‘Run For Your Life’ is theme haunted by Orwell’s 1984. There is a large cast and a small band. Emma Riddell and Craig Brackenridge are superb as two leaders against deceit and mind-corruption. There is a spiv and, and believe it or not, a “Commissionaire” called Sell-u-Lloyd. I thoroughly enjoyed this as a musical and was moved by the entire casts well-directed (Nick Fearne) performance .

After a while you run out of adjectives to describe Cumbernauld Youth Theatre

Brilliant, stunning, original, enthusiastic, entertaining, professional, funny, clever, vibrant, are all very applicable.

This time, you can prefix all those words with “absolutely”, because once again the Youth Theatre pulled off an absolutely excellent night’s entertainment with “Run For Your Life”.

Perhaps we are a bit spoiled in Cumbernauld but we have come to expect the best from this bunch of young actors and actresses. Rarely do they disappoint.

And despite great personnel changes, the talent shines trough proving we have a rich seam of youthful ability in the New Town.

“Run For Your Life” is the type of comic-situation they revel in. Fast-moving, wicked and funning it was set in the future and featured those well-known bogey men, the Thought Police.

Pearl and Dean were on the run from the Thought Police, after accidentally killing one in a brawl.

Pearl, played by Emma Riddell and Dean, played by Craig Brackenridge, in classic, over-the-top 50’s “B” movie style, were a delightful double act.

Both were brilliant, Craig able to convey a line by the raising of an eyebrow and Emma portraying the dumb heroine to perfection.

It’s the first time I’ve seen either in a major role and I trust it won’t be the last.

The audience was swept along in the panto-fashion as Pearl and Dean raced from the TP’s clutches pursued by Pearl’s father, and Dean’s friend, Flick Thorn, played well by Iain Campbell and Gary Hamilton.

Also hot on their trail was Ray Dowling as the Reporter, who missed the action every time. Ray took on his role well and virtually had the stage to himself on his every appearance, but coped superbly as the down-trodden hack.

Scene of the night, featuring the two outstanding successes of the performance, was in the mad lab, which opened the second half.

Andy Unger was the Mad Professor and Frank Gallagher as Norman his assistant, were superb and had the sizable audience screaming with laughter.

BRILLIANT

What can you say about Frank that’s not been said. He played the part of the assistant brilliantly, combing the correct amount of farce and pathos for this tragic, funny character.

His double act with Andy showed his superb sense of timing and although he is now lost to the Youth Theatre (greater things call him), he will not be forgotten. Andy was very good. Again, it was the first time I had seen him in a leading role and he took it in his stride. He was very convincing as the leering, crazy, sex-daft professor and he will undoubtedly be a talent to watch in the future.

SUPPORTING

Bryan Dunbar as Sell-U-Lloyd, Kenny Scott as the sage and Lesley Sharp as the Nazi-commander style head of the Thought Police were good in supporting roles.

We also had the appearance of Pauline Murphy, Brenda Sutherland, Adela Campbell, Audrey Greer, and Helen Pike in stocking, suspenders and various other sexy clothes.

I hope they will forgive me if I say they play their parts as ladies of Ill-repute very well!

Colin McAllister, Lyn Marney, Claire Leonard, Allison McKay, Susan Donald, Tracy Vernel and Marie McGowan, played the Thought Police and Party Guests.

Special mention must go to Gregor Bingham, Ralph Haggerty and Donna Swabey who provided the music.

And not forgetting the direction of Nick Fearne which, for me, was excellent. I especially liked the choreography during Frank Gallagher’s song at the end of the first half.

The Youth Theatre have become an important part of the town’s culture, and the large audience was testament to that.

Well done, boys and girls, and thanks for the happy ending.

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