By Harry Mottram: The cast and crew of Axbridge Community Theatre’s (ACT) production of Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party were given a rousing reception by the audience as the final curtain fell on the week long run in the town hall.

Set in a 1950s seaside boarding house the theatre group’s production crew built an authentic set with kitsch floral wallpaper and a serving hatch. All thanks to the team of Dave Moore, John Dunstone, Stella Moore and set designer David Parkin who have lovingly recreated Meg’s dining room in her boarding house where the drama unfolded. Sadly the set has to be dismantled in one day so as to allow other activities to take place in the town hall with the cast and crew helping out.

Directed by John Bailey (who directed the Axbridge Pageant) the sell-out audiences have commented favourably about the quality of the acting, the set, costumes and props – and the skill of the director to bring the drama to life. Many believe it is the finest production of ACT to date – a great tribute to a team effort.

The cast featured Will Vero, Sian Tutill, Peter Honeyands, Hannah Strohmeier, Phil Saunders and Tony Wilson. A programme was on sale on the night for £1 and there was a licensed bar. The Birthday Party ran from Wednesday 29th March to Saturday 1st April, 2023, nightly at 7.30pm.

For a review of the play see https://tinyurl.com/4n6xjtb5

See Adam’s work at https://www.adamclutterbuckphotography.com/

For more on ACT: https://sites.google.com/site/axcomtheatre/home