I recently caught up with prolific Portsmouth playwright Roger Goldsmith to talk about a new production coming to Southsea Cinema for three nights from 25 to 27 October.
Two very different plays are on offer, and the audience is promised a mix of drama and comedy performed by a talented local cast. It sounds like a fun – and great value – night out!
A Brand New Drama and a Well-Travelled Comedy
The first piece, Danny, is a premiere enjoying its first public outing. “Danny is perhaps the most dramatic play I have written, in terms of the intensity of the piece. It is literally full on from the get go!” says Roger.
It’s a play on the very topical theme of bullying. “There is no peace for Danny, either at school or at home, where his less-than-sympathetic Father thinks he should stand up to the bullying. As a result, there is conflict all round.”
In contrast, Montgomery is a well-travelled piece, having been staged before at the Hope Theatre and White Bear in London as well as the Wedgewood Rooms and Havant’s Spring Theatre locally.
“It’s an unashamed comedy,” Roger explains. The story is that Montgomery is a desk clerk in a classy hotel, while Lily is a classy hooker. Apparently, the two manage to get on very well together, and given the right circumstances they might get on even better…
A Highly Talented Local Cast
The production is blessed with a talented cast, and a great diversity of age and experience.
Local teenagers play two of the roles in Danny, and are the youngest actors that Roger has ever worked with. Reuben Terry – who is only 14 years old – has already appeared in several local musicals, while Freya Hawkes is 18 and has starred in a number of youth productions.
By contrast, Sue Bartlett is a longstanding local stage actress with many decades of experience behind her belt on both stage and TV. I’m really looking forward to seeing her again after a fantastic performance in local play Gnomes last year.
Also starring in Danny are well-known Pompey actors Leigh Cunningham (who has featured in several of Roger’s plays before) and Lee Ruttle, who he is delighted to be working with for the first time.
Versatile Leigh Cunningham also has the fun of playing the hooker in the second play Mongomery, alongside Patric Howe who Roger has worked with a number of times previously.
The director is a name that many of us will know too: Steve Pitt is leader of Portsmouth Council. “I love the way Steve directs,” says Roger. “His attention to detail is something I have never witnessed before.”
An Intimate Setting and a Great Value Night Out
Southsea Cinema and Arts Centre began hosting occasional theatre productions a couple of years ago and, having seen all of them, I love what a cosy setting it makes for local work like this.
“It just felt right to go back there,” explains Roger. “The venue works so well for plays with a small number of characters and the place is so intimate and welcoming.”
Best of all, perhaps, it costs little more than the price of a cinema ticket to see all of this local talent live on stage. Tickets for adults are priced at just £12, with concessions for £10.
Danny and Montgomery runs for three nights Friday 25 to Sunday 27 October at Southsea Cinema starting at 7.30pm. Due to the size of the venue, it’s likely to sell out – so if you like the sound of this one I’d recommend you get booking soon on the cinema’s website!
