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'Must See' - Reviews Flood In for Neston Players' A Walk Through Time

The reviews are coming in and the consensus is....it's a hit!

In a scene from A Walk Through Time - the 'Committee'.  Photo by Linda Pelling.

The self-penned and produced 'A Walk Through Time (1814-2014)' by Neston Players was performed at the Civic Hall at the end of May. 

Reflecting on 200 years of Neston Female Society and the annual Ladies Club Day, advance publicity promised both  laughter and tears, and it has certainly delivered!

Here are just a handful of the reviews that flooded in:

"It was great! Very, very well done. Thoroughly enjoyed it. My Dad was in the Cheshires in the 1914/18 War, so seeing an actual uniform was special for me." Ann Albisser

"Great play. Well done to all concerned." Tricia Sharp

"An amazing story of time, to be seen by all." Helen Bolton

"It was great... we really enjoyed it." Joyce Bentley

"So glad I went - informative, amusing and sad." Melanie Pearson

"Brilliant show.... A must see!" Tracy Williams

"That was an awesome performance by Neston Players. The first half ended with total silence as the audience wiped away tears and composed themselves. The second half ended with the audience wanting to give a standing ovation. Brilliant. I want to see it again now." David Clark.

"Totally loved it." Billy Webber

"A fantastic emotional roller coaster of a show! Laughter and tears and warmth. I loved that it was written from the heart and it was great to learn so much about the history of the Ladies Society too." Eleanor Hillman

"An absolute MUST see." Kim Sayce

"Fantastic show tonight. What a story. I laughed and cried and enjoyed every minute! Well done." Susannah Hill

"It was excellent. I took my 8 year old granddaughter and she really enjoyed it also. First class." Gill Weaver

"I went to see this production last night and it was extremely well done. It was interesting, funny, sad, well thought out. Some very good acting and the alternating between modern day and history was cleverly worked. Well done to Neston Players, the writers, cast and crew for a really new and successful production." Julie Khayati

"Well done cast crew and everyone involved...was cleverly done and left me wanting more. I look forward to more productions. I've been to see two productions with Neston Players and i can honestly say I haven't been disappointed. Nikki Swanick

"I laughed and cried in equal measures. Saw lots of familiar faces, both performing in it and watching it. Massive well done to all involved." Tracy Byron

"Fabulous production, all the emotions brought in to play. As ever, every time we go to Neston Players they get better and better. Congratulations to everybody involved." Jim Howard

"Quality performance by all, a great tribute production for the 200th." Bernard Rose

"Brilliant night. Well done to everyone involved - fabulous entertainment!" Dean Munday

"A lovely tribute to Neston Female Society's special anniversary. Thank you all for your writing, acting and behind-the-scenes brilliance. Really proud of the HipandHarmony Cic choir...you all sounded lovely. Seeing Robert get his programme from the cast was a highlight....Easy on the eye, eh? Totally loved it. Another memory made in a very memorable couple of weeks for our town." Carrie Spacey

"You were all sensational, a really great production, I'm really proud of you all....I was truly grateful to receive the signed programme that will remain in my heart forever.....it makes me very proud to be a Nestonian. For anybody who has not seen 'A Walk Through Time', go and see it, its fab." Robert Halsall

More photos from Linda Pelling:

Local landmarks are featured....

Hip & Harmony CIC's Adult Choir sing during the performances...

This just in from Charles Riley:

Neston Players Do It Again

There is no more difficult task in producing a play than to start from scratch with a blank sheet of paper and work towards the goal of a finished, polished performance. Neston Players did just that.

In a collaborative community arts project the Players celebrated the history of the unique Neston Ladies Society with music, choral singing, drama and comedy. NP go from strength to strength. A cast and crew of all ages, collaborative writing from within the society and an expression of the joy and fun that only live performance can bring, shone on the audience.

The aim of having fun and striving for the highest quality it can achieve seems to lie at the heart of NP. The society entwined itself with the tapestry of the town's history in this pageant. Everyone involved should be immensely proud that it will strengthen the sense of community in Neston and strengthen the society.

As I watched the show unfold I got a real sense of the pride felt by the local audience in its town and its creativity. Many congratulations. Lets hope that ambition and positivity spreads out across the Wirral.

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Comments

Robin H

At 10:56 on 31st May 2014, Robin H commented:

This is something very special. I left the Civic Hall exhilarated, moved and still laughing. We often grumble that Neston is somehow overlooked and on the edge of things these days but 'A Walk Through Time' is a confident, joyous assertion of the depth and strength of our community. The quality of the writing and the acting is outstanding. You don't have to have been born here to enjoy it but you do have to care about the place. Neston, unlike many towns that have segued into dreary dormitory suburbs or retirement ghettos, has retained its character and sense of place; many people (including some of those involved in this production) have been working over the past decade or so to build it up and this shows how much has been achieved. In that I include the whole Ladies' Day project which has engaged so many children and adults across the community and the support from local businesses. Add to that upcoming events such as the Big Lunch, the WWI commemorations as well as more behind-the-scenes stuff to encourage local business, improve the town centre and develop a Neighbourhood Plan for the area as well as the success of the High School and it's hard to escape the impression that Neston is on the move! It's been said for a long time that Neston needs to take control of its own destiny and here it is - happening. Hurrah!

I don't know whether there are any plans for this production; whether it might be repeated or offered to wider audiences but I do wonder if the whole project and the show might be elegible for an award. Others might have ideas.

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AndrewR

At 13:25 on 31st May 2014, AndrewR commented:

As one of the tech crew I can honestly say that it has been great fun and a privilege to be involved in such an excellent production. Everyone has made fabulous contributions to make this the great entertainment it undoubtedly is! Hope you all enjoy it. Watch this space as to the future!! Regards, Andrew

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Rob Ward

At 17:11 on 1st June 2014, Rob Ward commented:

I agree with Robin!
This was a brilliant piece of writing, with Shakespearean inter-weaving of tragedy and comedy. All the actors were exceptionally good: unlike some professional actors, we could hear every word. The fun that the whole team obviously had in creating this production came across in every scene. Neston really is a community, and (to coin a phrase) Neston's got talent. As we left last night somebody said 'It makes you proud of Neston'.
I hope this production can be repeated: it deserves to win an award.

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Baz

At 23:10 on 1st June 2014, Baz commented:

I think they've done the anniversary proud with this play and the song and flags and everything. Agree with Robin that awards are well due for all of it. Hope the weathers good for Thursday!

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andy w

At 10:28 on 3rd June 2014, andy w commented:

I went to see this last Thursday not knowing what to expect as i have never been to see one of the plays before and i was very impressed.It was well organised and the actors were all brilliant but i have to admit the story about the sacking of the band was my favourite,it was very funny and brought to life part of the history of ladies club.Well done to all involved

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