Chloris (Penny Mashlan), Martin (Ian Page), Paul (Graham Smith) and Helen (Jessie Bell)
Chloris (Penny Mashlan), Martin (Ian Page), Paul (Graham Smith) and Helen (Jessie Bell)
It felt like I was sitting in a community of retirees - the atmosphere was so relaxed, real and pertinent to our times.
The interplay between the characters was so intimate they did not feel like actors but more like the ordinary people we know in our everyday lives. Thecharacters are warm, supportive neighbours dealing with the vicissitudes of ageing, but throughout retain their dignity and humanity - often with well-timed wit.
There is Chloris (played by Penny Mashlan), a former opera singer; Paul (Graham Smith), a retired truck driver recovered from a major accident and Helen (Jessie Bell), who has left her job as a school principal, who are a couple still developing their new-ish relationship; and Martin (Ian Page), who is very reluctant to accept that by the simple criteria of being over 60, he has joined the community of silly old buggers.
Chloris takes every opportunity to the extroverted max, such as drinking excessively of free champagne, and is gregarious, with an unregrettable colourful history.
Paul is a realist and deals with issues such as excessively breaking wind while Martin prefers to stay happily in denial and finish writing his dry academic book. Helen has to adapt to health issues and make some difficult choices - which brings home the point that every age and stage of life brings its own moral issues and dilemmas.
They are all learning to find their way through the maze of technology.
Director Eilean Rawson has succeeded again with this topical musical comedy, with its fast-paced dialogue. The songs are set to well known melodies, a mechanism bringing additional humour.
Silly Old Buggers, written by Gillian M Wadds, is presented by Whangarei Theatre Company, from tomorrow until September 25. Bookings online or at Whangarei Suit Hire.
