RANSOM … a play staged by Artz Centre at Lathom High School, Skelmersdale on Thursday, 14th November, 2024
Written by Jim Briscoe for NODA
Ransom is a play penned by Mark Ashton (Executive Director of the Artz Centre) way back in 2008. I had the pleasure to be sat alongside Mark as this latest version of his play unfolded before my very eyes … I ask one question… “What really does go on in the mind of an Executive Director …. obviously plenty!” The storyline centres around Long Bank Victoria College, an educational establishment for children of the ‘rich and famous’. When young Penny Collins, the daughter of the mega rich Max Collins is kidnapped, the college becomes a centre of intrigue and mischief and when a mysterious ‘ransom note’ is discovered, Penny’s classmates suspect that all is not as it should be and ‘come together in solidarity’ to seek out the truth! Head Teacher, Mr Bennet and the bumbling investigating Police Officer Rob McNabb become ‘suspects’ in this kidnapping, so, this band of resourceful students set about finding the truth! Bursting with wit, humour and suspense… this is a play that will keep you interested until the end!
Production Team… tasked with bringing this play to stage we had Joe Howard (Director) and Richie Prunetti (Assistant Director). From Joe’s programme notes he tells us that, in an attempt to expand the performing arts provision at the Artz Centre and further support young actors who may be interested in the stage but perhaps not musicals … they needed to look at ways to develop what they already had! They launched the Junior Acting Academy in the Autumn, not knowing what the uptake would be… from what we saw tonight, I would suggest it looks pretty popular. They staged Ransom, simply because Mark had written with ‘young actors’ in mind…. did it work… having seen the results, I would say it did! Well done one and all!
The Cast … a cast of twenty-three took to the stage, they all looked well-rehearsed and up for the challenge that lay ahead. Again, this is another production where I think the ‘whole was far more important than the individual’ although we did have a number of ‘stand out characters’ who I’ll give ‘shout outs’ to a little later… Aaron Fletcher-Davies took on the role of Zac; Ada Baybutt played ‘April’; Alaina Ward played ‘Ruby’; Alex Kowalik played ‘Ozzy’; Amelia Wattersplayed ‘Jessie’; Emily McQueen played ‘kidnapped Penny’; Evelyn Gaskill played ‘Poppy’; Evie Robinson played ‘Gabbie’; Harriet Mitchell played ‘Amy’; Holly Mitchell played ‘Abbie’; Jacob McQueen played ‘Leo’; Lillie Bailey played ‘Calvin’; Lois Bailey played ‘Hazel’; Pheobe Price played ‘Stage Hand’; Scarlett Roberts played ‘Daphne’; Sofia Summers-Harwood played ‘Daisy’; Sophia Murphy played ‘Matilda’; Karl Prunetti played ‘Boy in the Park’; Sally Travis played Miss Willow’; Bella Ormrod played Ms Sqwak’; Ben Chane played Police Officer Rob McNabb; Chane Hamill played ‘mega rich Mr Higgins’; Charlotte Halton played Mrs Nettles and Richie Prunetti played Head Teacher Mr Bennett.
As stated above, “in my opinion”, the whole was far greater than any individual … the feel of comradery from the entire cast was tangible, everyone looked happy, engaged, well-rehearsed and knew what was expected of them … you should all be so proud of what you helped create, but after saying that, I do think it would be remiss of me not to give a few ‘shout outs’ performances from three young actors who gave us two very notable performances …. the first to be mentioned is a young lady, who more or less acted as our ‘narrator’ Ada Baybutt, her character in the production was ‘April’ one of the class from Long Bank Victoria College. When you take on a role that involves guiding an audience through the ‘trials and tribulations’ of any production, the necessity that everything you say has to be heard and understood and Ada’s diction was such, that I don’t think I missed one word even though I was sat on the back row. She was also ever so comfortable in the acting role as ‘Ada’, leading from the front, with good presence on stage, as previously stated lovely diction which she projected with ease to the back wall. Be proud Ada good job young lady! The second young lady that I’d like to make mention of was Emily McQueen who took on the role of ‘Penny’ our kidnapped classmate. Wow, Emily acted her ‘socks off’ creating a really believable character. Facial expressions, mannerisms were to the fore telling her story visually of a child being kidnapped, for one so young, such a strong performance and again one that she should be ever so proud of … well done Emily! I’m talking ‘diction’ again … I’ve said it before and I make mention of it again below … ‘diction’ is so important … whilst making notes during the performance, I highlighted ‘Daisy’ played by Sofia Summers-Harwood … I’ve just put ‘diction superb’ with a star alongside … Sofia’s diction was wonderful … an attribute worth having and nurturing Sofia… well done! Thank you one and all… be ever so proud all of you!
Staging/Tech… minimalistic set used throughout, but it worked and afforded enough to allow the actors to do their thing… it was great to see the cast moving the stage furniture with confidence to effect the different scenes. Lighting and sound enhanced this production so much
Constructive Advice…
i) I think noting what I said about Ada… diction is vitally important in theatre! I think I’ve mentioned this before, but just be aware that if we (the audience) don’t or can’t hear or understand what you are saying then the ‘plot’ to the production can get lost. Think about what you’re saying and try and put light and shade into the spoken word… slow your words down and project to that back wall it will help in any and all your performances on stage!
Thank you so much for inviting me and my wife to this play we really did enjoy it, looking forward to seeing and meeting you all again soon.
Stay safe and keep well
“Stronger Together”
Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep