Thurso Players' dynamic cast of Just Vicki win Caithness round of one act plays

Thurso Players came out top at the local stage of the SCDA 89th National Festival of One Act Plays held in the town's Mill Theatre last night (Saturday).

The winner's trophy and the shield for the highest direction mark went to the Thurso A team who presented a play called Just Vicki, written and directed by Faye Sutherland, with Alan Newton as stage manager.

Set in a psychiatrist's office in the present day the winning entry revolved round the central character Vicky, played by Emily Taylor, who was struggling to deal with Victoria, Erin Bonniface, a constant imaginary companion, while Dr Asheton, Clare Bonner, tried to paint an accurate picture of her client's mind.

Taking on the role of Vicky's husband was Kane Cameron, while Rachael Haddlesey was her cousin Claire and Julie Kedward her mother.

Adjudicator Ben Humphrey said he "enjoyed the cast dynamic" and pointed out: "One of the key challenges with this piece is the transitions within scenes."

Mr Humphrey, who has had countless professional credits to his name and has adjudicated all over the globe, liked the soundscapes used at the opening of the play and said it gave the production an "otherworldly feel". "We set up the convention of hearing voices – that was brilliant," he said.

He felt Emily and Erin both gave very strong performances, with Clare having a "wonderful vocal quality", while Rachael and Julie both played good supporting roles.

The runner-up trophy and the highest acting mark went to Wick Players with their hilarious production of Womberang written by Sue Townsend and set in a hospital outpatients waiting room in the 1980s.

This very fast paced play with lots of laughs was directed by Jayden Alexander, who also took on the role of the Irish consultant Mr Riley, while the stage manager was Allan Bruce.

With a cast of 10, the adjudicator thought they were all marvellous with lots of amusing characters. He hailed Clare Center, who played Rita Onions as "absolutely bloody marvellous", with Gina Alexander who was her friend Dolly a "lovely foil". Margaret Thomson made a very funny Mrs Connelly and gave a "fabulous performance" and played her part "brilliantly".

Mr Humphrey said: "On the whole I thought this cast caught the intention and essence of the piece."

Unfortunately the Wick play ran over the allowed time of 55 minutes so the team had marks deducted as a result. However, both Thurso Players A and Wick Players will now go forward to take part in the Highland Divisional Final in Nairn on March 25-26.

Also performing on Saturday night were Thurso Players B, who presented A Marriage Has Been Arranged by Alfred Sutro, set in Edwardian times in a conservatory in Grosvenor Square, London.

This was a non-competitive piece with Martin Shepherd as Mr Harrison Crockstead and Claire Hughes as Lady Aline De Vaux. The adjudicator said: "I felt the two cast members worked very well together. The comedy was very suitably matched with the poignant moments."

This production received the Old Mill Trophy for the best set outwith the winning play.

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