Director's Assistant Margaret Timms, Venue Southfield School, Brackley

A mild summer's evening in June, accompanied by a warm welcome from Judith Ayers and the front of house members of Brackley Players set the scene for a good night's entertainment. As ever this company ensured the entertainment side of things was just right, providing lots of laughs and a few groans as some old jokes were given yet another airing. Nice to see plenty of new faces, where do you find all these good actors? being given the chance to shine in a strong production.

This first attempt at directing by Roy Timms deserved more support from the residents of Brackley and District. Roy ensured the company kept up a good steady pace throughout the performance, his blocking of scenes on the whole very good, only in the last few minutes of the play was there some masking of players, meaning we could not see the business properly, this, I think due more to the company's enthusiasm rather than poor direction. The characters were all a tad two-dimensional (the writer's fault not the players) and stereotypical but nonetheless all were interesting and Roy's direction meant we heard every joke and the company allowed the laughs to fade naturally before continuing with the next line of dialogue. I felt the chase sequence would have had more effect by being rather shorter', the stage was empty too often before the next being pursued entered. I hope Roy will get the chance to do more directing in the future, I am sure he would make a success of it.

Newcomer Mark Stubbs made a strong "Count Dracula" having a fine sense of timing and clear diction despite using an Eastern European accent. There was a sense of the sinister about him, which made him slightly scary but his feel for comedy shone through.

"Countess Dracula" a statuesque lady of breeding with poetic inclinations was played with elegance by April Boffin, her renditions of poems and displeasure at being interrupted nicely judged and timed. More please from this talented lady.

Matt Boffin, seen previously in 'Dear Octopus' as Kenneth, gave a strong performance as 'Baron Frankenstein" with shades of the comedian Russ Abbott in his well-developed performance. Good diction aligned to good comic timing proved to be one of the many highlights of the play.

I hope Angela Timms enjoyed her experience of being directed by her father, just like being at home I suppose, being told what and when to do things eh! This said Angela was having fun playing "Baroness Frankenstein" again a good feel for comedy was evident, (taking after her father no doubt).

A real scene stealer in the nicest sense of the word was the delightfully over the top interpretation of 'The Doctor" by Roger Wagland, his delivery of lines either a soft Scottish accent or a seemingly authentic Cockney one was a pleasure to witness. Roger, being over 60 means you get to play good ‘character' roles so you will be needed far more than you ever imagined!

Ray Ayers proved to be a great foil for both his master (Frankenstein) and Frau Lurker. An example of how comedy should be played throughout his performance as "Ygor" the humpbacked servant.

Anne Cooper as "Frau Lucker" a servant with SM desires was very funny, nice to see her playing a 'double act' again alongside Ray, these two actors work so well together. Keep up the good work Anne.

Louisa Ayers made an attractive "Isobel" she showed a nice feel for timing and delivered her lines with a clear understanding of what they meant.

Teo Fuzi, as the servant "Ethel' made the most of what she had to do, giving herself wholeheartedly to her role and having fun with it. Well done.

Will Fran Hollyoake ever forget her time as "Ka-seat" the Egyptian mummy, it was one of the most uncomfortable roles ever I think, being wrapped in bandages all evening, this said though it was a good effort and deserved the laughs she got during the performance.

Kriss Addison and Amber Ould as "Groat" and the "Spectre/Creature" respectively made the most of their cameo roles.

A well-designed and constructed gloomy castle entrance hall set worked well and the clever opening and shutting of the door by an unseen hand a nice touch. Good lighting and sound effects added to the enjoyment of the evening. A pity the 'house' was so poorly filled, Brackley residents missed a good evening's entertainment.