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Review

Bazaar & Rummage, ImpAct Theatre, Village Hall, Lytchett Matravers

SUE Townsend’s comedy with music is an hilarious yet poignant story set around three agoraphobics who have been coaxed out of their homes for the first time in years to help run a sale that has been organised by a local do-gooder and a trainee social worker. The Acton church hall where the sale takes place soon becomes a mental battleground where long-submerged fears and resentments begin to bubble all too readily to the surface, and in the capable hands of this fine cast and their director, Kate Pocknell, it all occurs with absolute realism.

Patricia Richardson seems to have cornered the market in repressed women, and her superb portrayal of do-gooder Gwenda is full of barely suppressed anger and resentment at her own personal situation. As she tries to manipulate the lives of Katrina, Bell-Bell and Margaret (Tanya Alexander, Louise Thomas and Dawn Hollington), it is only the intervention of Fliss (Clare Rhodes), who has the training denied to Gwenda, that stops her in her tracks.

All five women excel in their characterisations and draw the audience skilfully into their world with a consummate skill that is a joy to experience. The play is touring the area – don’t miss it.

Linda Kirkman

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