By Tony Flood
The School for Scandal
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
Tuesday, 19th March, 2024 to Saturday, 23rd March, 2024
All images by Robling-Photography
The School for Scandal was written 247 years ago by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, yet its theme of spreading unfounded gossip relates to the ‘fake news’ we often hear today.
Unfortunately, neither this, nor an invite by production company Tilted Wig to “join us for a lightning-paced evening of romance, revenge and rollicking fun,” could prevent a lot of empty seats for the first night at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, on Tuesday.
Tilted Wig and director Seán Aydon updated the play by changing the setting from 1777 to the 1950s, complete with smart, distinctive costumes and a row of telephones. But at times they tried too hard to ‘sell it’, with the result that there was so much tittle-tattle spread by various gossiping characters in the opening scenes that it became confusing.
Joseph Marcell, the only member of the eight-strong cast not to play more than one role, took full advantage of the fact that Sir Peter Teazle was the easiest for the audience to understand.
Marcell, perhaps best known for his role in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and also seen in Death in Paradise and A Touch of Frost, perfectly captured elderly, frustrated Sir Peter who regrets marrying the much younger free-spending Lady Teazle, excellently played by Lydea Perkins.
Her mud-slinging friends Lady Sneerwell (Emily-Jane McNeill) and Mrs Candour (also played by Lydea Perkins) don’t care about destroying reputations.
Sir Peter is led to believe that his wife is having an affair. She isn’t, but decides she might as well do so if the accusations are being made.
A sub-plot involves brothers Charles (Garmon Rhys) and Joseph (Alex Phelps) – one good, the other bad. Their rich uncle, Sir Oliver (Tony Timberlake) returns after a long absence and sets about discovering what Charles and Joseph are really like.
The brothers both see the advantage of marrying Sir Peter’s ward, heiress Maria (Ayesha Griffiths). Guy Dennys plays both Rowley and aptly-named informer Snake to complete an enthusiastic cast which treated us to a dance at the end of the play.
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Tony Flood spent most of his working life as a journalist, initially on local and regional papers and then on nationals. He was also editor of Football Monthly, Controller of Information at Sky Television and enjoyed a spell with The People before retiring in 2010.
He recalls: “My work as a showbiz and leisure writer, critic and editor saw me take on a variety of challenges - learning to dance with Strictly Come Dancing star Erin Boag, becoming a stand-up comedian and playing football with the late George Best and Bobby Moore in charity matches.
“Now I spend much of my time writing books, and theatre reviews and articles for online magazines Unknown Kent and Sussex and The Write Site. I recently retired from playing veterans football, having been one of the oldest - and slowest - players in the country!” Tony's first book was fantasy adventure SECRET POTION, which went to No. 1 in its Amazon category and has been recommended by other authors for Harry Potter fans of all ages.
His celebrity book, MY LIFE WITH THE STARS – SIZZLING SECRETS SPILLED! is full of anecdotes and revelations about showbiz and sports personalities, including Eric Morecambe, Elvis Presley, Kylie Minogue, George Best, Frank Sinatra, Joan Collins, Strictly Come Dancing stars, Muhammad Ali and Bobby Moore, with whom Tony worked.
The versatile Mr Flood then turned to writing in another genre with spicy crime thriller TRIPLE TEASE, endorsed by best-selling author Peter James, actor Brian Capron and The Sun newspaper's Stuart Pink. Following the success of TRIPLE TEASE, Tony wrote STITCH UP! – KILLER OR VICTIM? and FALL GUY.
In BEGGARS BELIEF compassionate copper DCI Harvey Livermore and his Major Crime Team are again trying to put a killer behind bars in a gripping, fast-moving story.
Tony has also co-written, with his wife Heather Flood, LAUGHS AND TEARS GALORE – STORIES AND POEMS WITH TWISTS!
Tony gives talks about the showbiz and sports stars featured in his celebrity book, as well as holding miniworkshops and giving advice on how would-be authors can write a successful book. Any groups wishing to contact him can email:
tflood04@yahoo.co.uk Tony is chairman of Anderida Writers of Eastbourne. The link for the Anderida website is:
www.anderidawriters.co.uk
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